Bearded Vulture - Life History

Life History

The Bearded Vulture occupies an enormous territory year-around. It may forage over two square kilometers each day. The breeding period is variable, being December through September in Eurasia, November to June in the Indian Subcontinent, October to May in Ethiopia, throughout the year in eastern Africa and May to January in southern Africa. Although generally solitary, the bond between a breeding pair is often considerably close. In seldom cases, polyandry has been recorded in the species. The territorial and breeding display between Bearded Vultures is often spectacular, involving the showing of talons, tumbling and spiralling while flight and the large birds regularly lock feet with each other and fall some distance through the sky. The nest is a massive pile of sticks, that goes from around 1 m (3.3 ft) across and 69 cm (27 in) deep when first constructed up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) across and 1 m (3.3 ft) deep, with a covering of various animal matter from food, after repeated uses. The female usually lay a clutch of 1 to 2 eggs, though 3 have been recorded on rare occasions. which are incubated for 53 to 60 days. After hatching the young spend 100 to 130 days in the nest before fledging. The young may be dependent on the parents for up to 2 years, forcing the birds to regularly nest in alternate years. Typically, the Bearded Vulture nests in caves and on ledges and rock outcrops or caves on steep rock walls, so are very difficult for nest-predating mammals to access.

• Gypaetus barbatus aureus egg - MHNT

• Gypaetus barbatus hemachalanus egg - MHNT