English: Griffon Vulture, Eurasian Griffon Vulture
Russian: Белоголовый сип
German: Gansegeier
French: Vautour fauve
Mongolian: Ухаа хажир, Ухаа хажир бүргэд
Japanese: シロエリハゲワシ (Shiroeri-hagewashi)

Body Length: 95-110cm
Wing span: 230-265 cm

Habitat: Resident in mountains of Mediterranean area, Turkey, Caucasus. Accidental in N Europe. Declining, but still c. 20000 pairs, of which 90% in Spain. Soars and glides frequently, often appearing in loose flocks, keeping to ridges and peaks of mountains. Nests on cliff-ledge, often in loose colonies of 10-20 pairs.

Identification: Huge clearly bigger than most large eagles. At a distance, size apparent by slow-motion-like movements in the air. Broad wing with very long ‘fingers’; a tendency to have bulging secondaries and indented inner primaries (Black Vulture has more evenly broad wings). Tail short, generally well rounded (a hint of wedge-shape on many). Head appears small in flight. Tips of secondaries rounded, do not give distinct saw-tooth appearance. Flight heavy, wingbeats very slow and rather deep, a few at a time relieved by gliding. Wings held in shallow V when soaring, like Golden Eagle. When gliding, adopts flatter or more arched wing posture. When soaring, now and then takes a single, deep, embracing wingbeat, peculiar to the large vultures. Basically two-coloured, but beware birds seen against strong light, which can look all dark.

• Adult: Broad pale buff tips to upperwing-coverts; rather dark, medium brown lesser underwing-coverts traversed by one or two narrow light bands; medium brown underbody; whitish ruff, visible at closer range. Bill yellowish, face often swarthy.
• Juvenile: Upper greater coverts lack pale tips, underwing-coverts cream-coloured, somewhat lighter than on adult and more uniform; under-body lighter than on adult; ruff buff-brown. Bill grey, face often pale.
• Immature: Adult plumage attained in 5-6 years.