Griffon Vulture.

Copyright © 2008 John Powell BPE2*. All Rights Reserved. The Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) is an Old World vulture in the bird of prey family Accipitridae, 37-43 inch long with a 91-105 inch wingspan, and it weighs between 13.2 and 29 lb. It is a typical Old World vulture in appearance, with a white bald head, very broad wings and a short tail. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers. Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals which it finds by soaring over open areas, often moving in flocks. It grunts and hisses at roosts or when feeding on carrion. It breeds on crags in mountains in southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia, laying one egg. Griffon Vultures may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident. In Native American culture, the vulture was regarded as a very important totem animal. Representing cleansing of the spirit and strength to accept difficulty, it was a spiritual figure for many.