Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Cinereous Vulture
A large fierce scavenging bird that is under threat, understand why?
Common names – Cinereous Vulture, Black Vulture and Monk vulture.
Scientific name – Aegypius monachus
Aegypius means the Bird is similar to Eagle and Vulture.
Size – 3 feet – 10 feet.
Appearance and Habitat
This four feet long Dark brown colour Bird with a pale head, bluish-grey sharp tearing Beak, thick thigh and belly is a Cinereous Vulture found in India, Asia, Magnolia, Korea, France and turkey.
The females are larger than males and both can be spotted in areas of dry mountainous hills, semi-open habitats, meadows on high altitudes and riparian regions.
Diet and tragedy of Diclofenac.
Vulture feeds on animal carcasses. But humans give their cattle medicines like Diclofenac for high yields and economic purposes which remain in the bodies of cattle even after death. The Vulture feeds on the same carrion flesh of cattle which affect sits life cycle.
Otherwise, Cinereous Vulture feeds on Rabbits, fox, insects, lizards and carcass of Wild boar, yaks, Deers, chicken, etc.
Breeding –
Birds attain sexual maturity at age of 4-5 years.
Breeding season is from October to November.
Females lay 1-2 eggs.
Both parents built nests, incubate and feed the chicks which are greyish.
Cinereous Vulture chicks fledge from their nests after 2 months.
Life span is of 40 years.
Conservation Status –
Cinereous Vultures are ‘ Near threatened’ species due to the diclofenac tragedy. The duty of this Scavenger bird in the food chain is of feeding upon carcasses, which is sadly resisted due to is declining population.
Also See ⇒ Baya Weaver Facts