Himalayan Vulture

The Himalayan vulture, or Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis), is a majestic bird of prey, belonging to the Old World vulture family. It is one of the two largest members of its family, a true raptor of the skies. With a conservation status of Near Threatened, this species commands our attention and respect.

Identification Tips

Adults of this species can be identified by their dark brown greater covert feathers, tail, and wing quills, contrasted by a pale buff upperside and paler tipped inner secondaries. Their legs are feathered in buffy plumage, ranging in color from greenish grey to pale brown. The underside and under-wing coverts are pale, almost white in some individuals. Adults have a yellowish bill and pale blue facial skin, which is lighter than that of the similar Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus). In flight, their long fingers are splayed, and a pale patagial stripe is visible on the underwing. The wing and tail feathers are dark, providing a stark contrast to the pale coverts and body.

Habitat

The Himalayan vulture is adapted to life in the high mountains, residing mainly in the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 5,500 meters.

Distribution

This vulture's range extends from Kazakhstan through to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, western China, and Mongolia. Juveniles may disperse further south, with vagrants recorded in Thailand, Burma, Singapore, and Cambodia.

Behaviour

These vultures are often seen perching on crags, with favorite sites marked by white stains from regular defecation. They soar on thermals and do not engage in sustained flapping flight. They are social birds, found in large flocks, and may follow grazers up the mountains in search of carrion. They are known to make a rattling sound when descending on a carcass and can grunt or hiss at roosts or when feeding.

Song & Calls

While not known for melodious songs, the Himalayan vulture can produce a variety of sounds, including cackling noises to defend their food and a rattling sound when descending on a carcass.

Breeding

The breeding season commences in January, with nests constructed as platforms of sticks on inaccessible cliff ledges. Colonies typically consist of five to seven pairs. A single white egg marked with red splotches is laid, and the young stay with the parents for six to seven months.

Similar Species

The Himalayan vulture is often confused with the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) and the Indian vulture (G. indicus), but can be distinguished by its larger size, stouter bill, and the coloration of its plumage.

Diet and Feeding

These vultures feed exclusively on carrion, including the remains of domestic yak on the Tibetan Plateau. They prefer fleshy parts over offal and have historically fed on human corpses at Celestial burial grounds. They are dominant over other scavengers at carcasses, except for larger predators like wolves and snow leopards.

Conservation status

The Himalayan vulture is currently listed as Near Threatened. It is susceptible to diclofenac poisoning, a drug that has caused rapid declines in other Gyps vulture populations. However, the Himalayan griffon vulture populations have not shown signs of rapid decline, though reductions in nesting birds have been noted in parts of Nepal.