Griffon Vulture

The Griffon Vulture is a scavenging bird of prey with a wingspan of over 2.5 metres, a broad wing and a proportionally short and rounded tail. It has greyish-brown plumage with pale dorsal fins and dark fins; juveniles are reddish-brown and streaked. Its head and neck have a strong beak, a ruff of feathers and a long neck, which vary in colour and characteristics between adults and juveniles. Adults have a bony beak, a white ruff and a yellowish iris, while juveniles have a black beak and iris. A rock-dwelling species, it breeds in colonies on cliffs.

Vultures play a crucial role in ecosystems, removing carcasses and helping to prevent the spread of disease thanks to the acid in their stomachs that destroys viruses and bacteria.