Eurasian griffon vulture Gyps fulvus

Abstract

The Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a long-lived species characterized by delayed maturity, long-lifespan long breeding performance and low reproductive rates. Most of the studies have focused on breeding ecology of the species, but less is known about its movements. It is a large raptor with relatively high wing loading that is favourable for obtaining high inter-thermal gliding speed, but limits the ability to use weak thermals and greatly increases the energetic cost of flapping flight compared with smaller soaring species. The griffon vulture is a sedentary or partially migratory species, with a complex movement pattern, not entirely well known, which includes also movements assimilable to a true migration because of their directionality, regularity in spatio-temporal patterns and its population scale. Such migratory movements connect the breeding grounds in Europe with sub-Saharan Africa, and occur mainly during the first years of life, becoming mostly sedentary after first breeding, though some adults eventually engage in long-range forays. The movements of juveniles and immatures (and some adults) resemble the spatial pattern of other large migratory birds of prey flyways (Western Mediterranean. Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Caucasian and Central Asian flyways). being even more constrained by sea-crossings and therefore the distribution of land masses.

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