# Eurasian Griffon (*Gyps fulvus*) The Eurasian Griffon is a large bird with big wings and a fluffy neck. They soar high in the sky and are known for their impressive gliding skills. They help clean up the environment by eating dead animals. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions - **Also known as:** Griffon Vulture ![Eurasian Griffon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Gyps_fulvus_-Basque_Country-8.jpg&width=800) Photo: Markel Olano, goierritarra1, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gyps_fulvus_-Basque_Country-8.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Griffon is a very large old-world vulture with a pale, downy head and a prominent white ruff of feathers around its neck. Its body plumage is sandy brown, contrasting with dark flight feathers, making it distinct from smaller, darker vultures. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Accipitriformes - **Family:** Accipitridae - **Genus:** Gyps ## Interesting facts - A group of griffons feeding together is called a 'wake' – like a funeral gathering! - Griffons have strong talons, but they don't hunt; they only use them to hold onto carrion. - These vultures can fly higher than Mount Everest, reaching altitudes of over 11,000 meters! - They are nature's cleanup crew, eating dead animals that could otherwise spread diseases. ## Special abilities - **Soaring Master:** Eurasian Griffon can glide for hours on thermal air currents because of its huge wingspan, saving massive amounts of energy. - **Iron Stomach:** Eurasian Griffon has extremely powerful stomach acids that help them digest decaying meat, preventing disease spread. - **Keen-eyed Spotter:** Eurasian Griffon has incredibly sharp eyesight that allows them to spot small carcasses from thousands of feet up. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 93-122 cm - **Wingspan:** 230-280 cm - **Weight:** 6.2-11.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-30 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1 - **Incubation:** 48-54 days ## Diet & Feeding These large birds are vital scavengers, cleaning up the environment by eating only dead animals. - **Primary Foods:** large mammal carrion, wild boar carcasses, goat carcasses, sheep carcasses, cattle carcasses - **Foraging Method:** Scavenging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Domestic Sheep (*Ovis aries*) — Scavenges on carcasses of dead domestic sheep. - **Depends on:** [Iberian Ibex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/iberian-ibex) (*Capra pyrenaica*) — Feeds on remains of wild goats in mountain regions. - **Symbiotic with:** Grey Wolf (*Canis lupus*) — Follows wolves to scavenge on their kills after they finish eating. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [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. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Gliding](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gliding): Gliding animals move through the air by launching themselves and maintaining flight with specialized body structures, without flapping wings. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [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. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and never try to touch or feed them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Griffon? 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 Eurasian Griffon? 93-122 cm ### What is Eurasian Griffon's wingspan? 230-280 cm ### How much does Eurasian Griffon weigh? 6.2-11.5 kg ### How long does Eurasian Griffon live? 20-30 years ### How fast can Eurasian Griffon move? 60 km/h ### What does Eurasian Griffon eat? These large birds are vital scavengers, cleaning up the environment by eating only dead animals. ### Where is Eurasian Griffon usually found? Mountain regions ## Where to spot - [Busch Gardens Williamsburg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/busch-gardens-williamsburg) — Virginia, US · Zoo - [Alto Tajo Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alto-tajo-natural-park) — Castilla-La Mancha, ES · Park - [Greifvogelpark Katharinenberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greifvogelpark-katharinenberg) — Bayern, DE · Zoo - [Hoces del Río Riaza Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hoces-del-rio-riaza-natural-park) — Castilla y León, ES · Park - [Los Alcornocales Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/los-alcornocales-natural-park) — Andalucía, ES · Park - [Monfragüe National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monfrague-national-park) — Mainland, ES · Park [View all places to see Eurasian Griffon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eurasian-griffon) ## 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: [Eurasian Griffon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-griffon)