Himalayan Vulture

Snow Vulture ( Gyps himalayensis ) in Nuremberg Zoo

Features

The snow is characterized by the white vulture, bald head, the white ruff, which yellowish beak, very broad wings and a short tail. He is still greater than the similar griffon vulture ( Gyps fulvus) and weighs about 8-12 kg. The wingspan is 260-310 cm. The whitish body contrasts with the dark flight feathers.

Food and hunting

The Snow Vulture feeds on carrion, which he spotted in flight from the air. He usually is not the first on cadavers, but is lured by the presence of crows and bearded vultures. When eating he goes aggressively against competitors, but wolves, other predators and also the stronger black vultures inferior. In northern India, one can observe the same cadaver snow vultures along with griffon vultures and Indian vultures (Gyps indicus).

Reproduction

As the griffon vulture begins the Himalayan vulture early in the year to breed. The only egg is sometimes placed in December, as both species inhabit relatively northern latitudes and the time for the rearing of the young by the early onset of winter is limited. Depending on the climate of the territory inhabited oviposition may take place later, but no later than May. Snow vultures breed in small colonies on cliffs at 1200 m to 4250 m altitude. The nests, which are getting bigger over time come from other birds of prey or even created new. The young vulture required by the oviposition of between six and eight months until they leave the nest.

Proliferation and threat

The snow vulture is common in the mountains of Central Asia. It comes from northern Pakistan and northern India over southern Tibet and Nepal to Bhutan, Assam and North - Central China before. To the northeast it reaches over the Pamir Mountains, the Tianshan and possibly the Altai Mountains and Tarbagatai. The type adheres mostly above 1200 m and reaches heights of up to 6000 m above sea level.

System

The snow vulture is sometimes regarded as a subspecies of the griffon vulture, although both partially occur together in the same areas. A distinction is no subspecies of snow vulture.