Lammergeier  (Gypaetus barbatus)

Description

Huge and majestic, the lammergeier is a highly distinctive bird-of-prey and one of the largest old world vultures (2) (3) (4). Enormous wings enable it to soar with characteristic ease above the mountain slopes, while the outline of its long, diamond-shaped tail is unmistakeable in flight (2) (4) (5). The head is creamy-yellow with black eye patches that extend below the short, narrow bill in the form of tufted whiskers (2) (3) (4), hence the alternative name of the bearded vulture (6). The neck and the underparts are a rusty-orange colour, while the back, wings and tail are dark grey-blue to black (2) (4) (6). The juveniles are much less distinctive than the adults, having a variably brown, patchy plumage (3) (6). Up to 13 subspecies have been described, differing to varying degrees in size and appearance, but only two are commonly recognised, Gypaetus barbatus barbatus and G. b. meridionalis (3) (7).

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