Bearded Vulture

Bearded Vulture

Gypaetus barbatus

Included in the “Red Book” of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Zangezur National Park

A species of bird of prey belonging to the family of Vultures of the order of the Golden Eaglets of the class of birds. It is found in the mountains of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus at altitudes of 700-2500 m above sea level, sometimes at 400-500 m. It is a sedentary species.

Its mass is 4.5-7.5 kg, its body length is 95-125 cm, and its wingspan is 275-308 cm. It has a “beard” consisting of stiff bristles under its chin.

It nests in rocky caves. Nesting occurs from late December to July. It feeds on animal carcasses, mainly bone marrow. When it does not find carcasses, it hunts rodents and birds.