Gyps himalayensis

(Hume, 1869)

Vernacular names
English : Himalayan griffon
French : Vautour de l’Himalaya

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Accipitriformes
Family : Accipitridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The largest species of its genus, reaching 110 cm long for a weight of 12 kg and a wingspan up to 2,90 m. Tail and flight feathers dark brown to black. Rest of plumage pale beige. Light down on head and neck, bare skin patch on lower neck.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in Central Asian mountain ranges, from the Altai mountains to north India, Nepal and Tibet plateau in China. Lives in mountains, gorges and high-elevation steppes, from 900 to 6000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is still common in protected areas but has declined dramatically because of poisoning by the “Diclofenac” drug found in carcasses.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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