Description
The Cinereous Vulture is believed to be the largest true bird of prey in the world. The condors, slightly larger, are now generally considered unrelated to the true raptors. The Himalayan Griffon Vulture is the closest rival to the size of the Cinereous, with a similar average wingspan, weight and a longer overall length, thanks to a distinctly longer neck. The largest Cinereous vultures exceed the weight and wingspan of the largest Himalayan Griffon, and the Cinereous is the larger species going on standard measurements. This huge bird measures 98–120 cm (39–47 in) long with a 2.5–3.1 m (8.2–10 ft) wingspan. The body mass in this species can range from 7 to 14 kg (15 to 31 lb). It is thus one of the world's heaviest flying birds. Despite limited genetic variation in the species, body size increases from west to east, with the birds from southwest Europe (Spain and south France) averaging about 10% smaller than the vultures from central Asia (Manchuria, Mongolia and northern China). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 73–89 cm (29–35 in), the tail is 33–41 cm (13–16 in) and the tarsus is 12–14.6 cm (4.7–5.7 in).
The Cinereous Vulture is distinctly dark, with the whole body being dark brown excepting the pale head in adults, which is covered in fine down. The juveniles are blackish in coloration and, from a distance, flying birds can easily appear all black. The massive blue-gray bill is the largest of any living accipiterid, a feature enhanced by the relatively small skull of the species. The exposed culmen of the Cinereous Vulture measures 8–9 cm (3.1–3.5 in). The wings, with serrated leading edges, are held straight or slightly arched in flight and are broad, sometimes referred to as "barn door wings". Their flight is slow and buoyant, with deep, heavy flaps when necessary. The combination of huge size and dark coloration renders the Cinereous Vulture relatively distinct, especially against smaller raptors such as eagles or hawks. The most similar-shaped species, the Lappet-faced Vulture (with which there might be limited range overlap in the southern Middle East), is distinguished by its bare, pinkish head and contrasting plumage. On the Lappet-face, the thighs and belly are whitish in adult birds against black to brownish over the remainder of the plumage. All potential Gyps vultures are distinguished by having paler, often streaky plumage, with bulging wing primaries giving them a less evenly broad-winged form.
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