# Cinereous Vulture (*aegypius monachus*) The Cinereous Vulture is one of the largest flying birds in the world! It has a massive wingspan that can reach up to 10 feet, making it an impressive sight in the sky. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** They typically live in mountainous regions, grasslands, and open forests across Europe and Asia. - **Also known as:** Eurasian Black Vulture, Monk Vulture ![Cinereous Vulture](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Buitre_negro.jpg&width=800) Photo: Juan Lacruz, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buitre_negro.jpg) ## Appearance The Cinereous Vulture is a massive raptor with dark brown to black plumage. It has a distinctive bare, greyish-pink head and neck, often partially covered by downy feathers. Its powerful, heavy bill is dark with a lighter cere. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Accipitriformes - **Family:** Accipitridae - **Genus:** Aegypius ## Interesting facts - Cinereous Vultures are usually solitary or found in pairs, unlike many other vulture species. - It is one of the heaviest flying birds of prey in the entire world! - Its scientific name, Aegypius monachus, means 'monk vulture' because of its hooded appearance! - They build enormous nests, up to 3m wide, high in trees or on cliffs! ## Special abilities - **Sky Sentinel:** Cinereous Vultures can soar for hours on vast wings, effortlessly scanning huge areas for food from high above. - **Thermal Rider:** Cinereous Vultures use rising warm air currents to glide without flapping, saving energy for long flights. - **Hygiene Helper:** The Cinereous Vulture's bare head and neck can stay clean when feeding, preventing disease from spreading. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 100-120 cm - **Wingspan:** 250-310 cm - **Weight:** 7-14 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-40 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1 - **Incubation:** 50-55 days ## Diet & Feeding This giant bird helps keep nature clean by eating the remains of dead animals. - **Primary Foods:** Large mammal carrion, Wild boar carcasses, Deer carcasses, Livestock carrion, Smaller animal remains, Tortoises - **Foraging Method:** Scavenging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Red Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-deer) (*Cervus elaphus*) — scavenges on their carcasses after death. - **Eats:** [Alpine Ibex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alpine-ibex) (*Capra ibex*) — feasts on remains of ibex in mountainous habitats. - **Symbiotic with:** Grey Wolf (*Canis lupus*) — often follows wolves to feed on their leftover kills. - **Eats:** [Wild Boar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-boar) (*Sus scrofa*) — consumes carcasses, especially piglets or injured adults. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cinereous Vulture? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cinereous Vulture? 100-120 cm ### What is Cinereous Vulture's wingspan? 250-310 cm ### How much does Cinereous Vulture weigh? 7-14 kg ### How long does Cinereous Vulture live? 30-40 years ### How fast can Cinereous Vulture move? 60 km/h ### What does Cinereous Vulture eat? This giant bird helps keep nature clean by eating the remains of dead animals. ### Where is Cinereous Vulture usually found? They typically live in mountainous regions, grasslands, and open forests across Europe and Asia. ## Where to spot - [David Traylor Zoo of Emporia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/david-traylor-zoo-of-emporia) — Kansas, US · Zoo - [Monfragüe National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monfrague-national-park) — Mainland, ES · Park - [Cabañeros National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabaneros-national-park) — Castilla-La Mancha, ES · Park - [Valle de Alcudia and Sierra Madrona Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/valle-de-alcudia-and-sierra-madrona-natural-park) — Castilla-La Mancha, ES · Park - [Sierra Morena de Sevilla Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sierra-morena-de-sevilla-natural-park) — Andalucía, ES · Park - [Sierra de Guadarrama National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sierra-de-guadarrama-national-park) — Comunidad de Madrid / Castilla y León, ES · Park [View all places to see Cinereous Vulture](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cinereous-vulture) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Cinereous Vulture: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cinereous-vulture)