Eurasian Black Vulture - Aegypius monachus
Presentation
Its name Aegypius comes from the Greek aigupios (vulture), and monachus is a Latin term which means monk, in reference to its ruff of neck feathers which looks like a monk’s cowl.
First chick hatched at Le Rocher des Aigles: 5 June, 2003
Characteristics
CLASS : Aves
ORDER : Accipitriformes
FAMILY : Accipitridae
WINGSPAN : 2.5 - 3 m
WEIGHT : 7 - 12 kg
CLUTCH SIZE : 1 egg
INCUBATION : 54-56 days
LIFE EXPECTANCY : 39 years in captivity
DIET : it is necrophageous and feeds on dead animals and carcasses.
NATURAL HABITAT : it lives in woodland areas and forests in the mountains. In Spain it can be seen at altitudes of between 300 and 1,400 metres.
RANGE : Asia, East Africa and Southern Europe
Conservation status
Conservation status info
NT : Near Threatened
The Eurasian Black Vulture had vanished in the early 20th century, but has been back in France since 1992, thanks to reintroduction programmes (LPO).
Main threats are direct mortality caused by humans (accidental or deliberate), poisoning, habitat degradation, lack of food, persecution, electricity networks and forest fires.
In China, the raptors are trapped and killed for the feather trade.