Bearded Vulture

Bearded vultures inhabit mountain systems across southern Europe and Asia, including the Himalayas, Tibet, south-central China, and southern Siberia. Other populations occur in eastern and southern Africa and parts of northwestern Africa. They live from approximately 300 to 4,500 meters, most frequently above 2,000 meters. Favored landscapes contain cliffs, gorges, and precipices overlooking pastures where carcasses can be located. Adults measure 94 to 125 centimeters long, span 231 to 283 centimeters, and weigh 4.5 to 7.2 kilograms. (Animal Diversity Web)

Unlike most birds, bearded vultures specialize in eating bones, which form about 85 percent of the diet; carrion provides the remainder, with tortoises and birds occasionally taken. Their highly acidic stomachs can digest large bones rapidly, and adults may carry bones aloft before dropping them onto rocks to break them. Most pairs are monogamous, although polyandrous trios occur. They breed once annually, laying one to three eggs. Incubation lasts 53 to 60 days, and both sexes provision and protect the young. (Animal Diversity Web)