Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus)

OTHER NAMES: Monk Vulture, Cinereous Vulture

Latin Etymology: Aegypius ("Vulture") monachus ("monk" ie hooded)

Adult Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) at El Pardo, Spain - April 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 6-13kg  /  Length: 98-120cm  /  Wingspan: 2.5-3.1m
ABSENT FROM UK / Red List: Near Threatened 

The Eurasian Black Vulture (or whichever name you choose to call it by) is a very impressive bird by a lot of metrics - it's enormous for a start - larger than any raptor in the Old World and only exceeded by the Condors in the new.  As such, it has the only wingspan of any bird I have seen thus far to exceed 3 metres, and is in the region of the top 10 for both heaviest and largest wingspan of all flying birds.  Not only that, but they have been recorded flying at spectacular heights of nearly 7 miles - one of the highest flying of all birds.  Their European stronghold is in Spain, but the bulk of their range is Central Asia.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Aegypius
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Buitre Negro ("Black Vulture")

Locally fairly common resident

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Several seen around bundant at Valdetorres Del Jarama and Patones
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Several seen at each of El Pardo and Monfrague National Park.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)

OTHER NAMES: Griffon Vulture 

Latin Etymology: Gyps ("vulture") fulvus ("tawny or brown")

Five Eurasian Griffon Vultures (subspecies G. f. fulvus) at Monfrague National Park, Spain - April 2016

Featured Subspecies: Gyps fulvus fulvus

Weight: 6.5-10.5kg  /  Length: 93-122cm  /  Wingspan: 280cm

ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Eurasian Griffon is a massive typical vulture with a massive 2.8m wingspan - bigger even than the largest eagles in Europe, yet not the biggest vulture by a good margin.  It has a vast range - spreading from Spain to the Himalayas but it's range is patchy due to appropriate habitat and food sources.  It suffered a bit in the EU due to certain legislation preventing leaving dead animals out in the open as had traditionally been done, but it has subsequently been amended to make allowances.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Gyps
Subspecies: G. g. fulvus, G. f. fulvescens

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Buitre común ("Common Vulture")

Widespread and locally common resident.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Common on farmland North of Madrid and around Patones and two above Toledo 
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Abundant in El Pardo and Monfrague National Park 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .