The Eurasian Griffon Vulture is a scavenger bird, that can be found in many parts of Europe, Asia and North Africa.
In the past, it was considered to have the second largest wingspan in Israel – after the Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos).
However, in recent years, no nesting of this species have been observed in Israel, and it has been declared extinct in the country. Therefore, we can say that today the Eurasian Griffon Vulture is the largest bird in Israel.
The wingspan of an adult Vulture reaches an impressive 2.80 meters. The Vulture is very heavy (can reach up to 10.5 kg) and thus avoids wasting energy, and tries not to take-off or fly by flapping its wings. It relies mostly on winds and thermics of warm air, as many other birds with a wide wingspan do. When the Vulture wants to move a short distances on the ground, or climb a hill, it often prefers jumping on two legs. Further more, the nesting and resting areas of the Vultures are always located in vertical cliffs, allowing them to start flying by jumping from a high place.
The oldest known Vulture, according to Wikipedia, lived to the age of 41, in captivity.
The special honor given to Vultures at the beginning of the meal
The Eurasian Griffon Vultures feed on animal carcasses, which they locate using their extremely sharp vision, from very high-altitudes. In Israel, the Nature and Parks Authority operates special feeding points, in order to keep Vultures away from human garbage areas and from other contaminated or poisoned food sources.
When a random animal is killed in the area – Mostly as a result of a car accident – The carcass is quickly taken to a veterinary examination, to make sure the carcass is clean of toxins or drugs, and then a special crane-truck places the carcass in one of the feeding spots scattered throughout the region, mostly in secret locations, far from humans.
In many cases, Vultures are at the top of the scavengers hierarchy, distancing other birds and even large mammals such as hyena, wolf, and jackal, by flapping their wings aggressively and using loud hissing sounds. In many cases, their competitors will move back from the carcass and wait for their turn.
Using a curved, sharp and very strong beak, the Griffon Vulture is able to tear-open the hard skin of a carcass. In fact, they help all other scavengers, reaching the internal organs of the eaten animal.
The lack of feathers on their heads, and their long necks, allows easier access to the internal organs.
The Vulture community in Israel
In Israel, there are several "communities" of Eurasin Griffon Vultures (Named "Nesher Mikrai" in Hebrew). In the Negev - Mainly in the Zinim Cliffs area (south of Sde-Boker). In the north, they are found in Mount Carmel and in the Golan Heights, mainly in the Gamla area. The Vulture population in Israel is at risk; The number of individuals counted in recent years has been declining at a steady rate of 7% per year.
The northern population at Gamla was severely hurt in 1998, when 29 Vultures died after eating a poisoned carcass, illegally placed by a farmer, whose goal was to fight the wolves that attacked and killed cows in the grazing areas of his farm.
The few Vultures that survived this event were brought to the Negev for rehabilitation.
In April 2019, counting of Vultures by the Nature Authority, found 110 individuals in the Negev and 37 in the Carmel and Golan (excluding chicks in nests).
The nesting and resting area
The female Vulture typically lays only one egg, and incubates it for 54 days.
During the night, the Vultures rest on rocky vertical cliffs. In the morning, after the ground warms up and starts to emit heat, they start flying around, capturing hot air thermics, gliding in broad circles, while searching for dead animal carcasses on the ground.
In Israel, these majestic birds enjoy full legal protection, they are tagged and monitored regularly, and great efforts are made to maintain their safety and well-being.
Watch a Volture nest in real time at:
Read more about the Eurasian Griffon Vulture:
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