The Himalayan Griffon Vulture
, Gyps himalayensis
, is an Old World vulture
in the order Accipitriformes
, which also includes eagles
. It is closely related to the European Griffon Vulture
, G. fulvus
It breeds on crags in mountains in the Himalayas and Tibet, laying a single egg. Birds may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident.
Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals, which it finds by soaring over open areas and mountains. These birds often move in flocks.
The Himalayan Griffon Vulture is a typical vulture, with a bald white head, very broad wings, and a short tail. It is even larger than the European Griffon Vulture. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The whitish body and wing coverts[?] contrast with the dark flight feathers.
This vulture grunts and hisses at roosts or when feeding on carrion.
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