Bearded Vulture

bone eater · giant bird · scavenger · Africa

Bones, not meat. The bearded vulture is the only known vertebrate that eats mostly bones, making up 70 to 90 percent of its diet. It drops bones from great heights to crack them open, then swallows the pieces whole.

Incredibly large bird. This massive bird of prey is one of the largest vultures in the world, with a wingspan that can reach up to 10 feet across. Its size helps it soar high over mountains searching for animal remains.

Feathery beard-like markings. The bearded vulture gets its name from the long, dark feathers that look like a beard around its face and chin. These striking feathers make it stand out from other vultures.

Mountain heights expert. This vulture lives in mountainous regions across Africa, Europe, and Asia, where it hunts for bones left behind by other animals. It's perfectly built to survive in rocky, high-altitude terrain.

Slow family builders. Bearded vultures raise only one baby chick at a time and take many years between breeding attempts. This slow reproduction means the species is vulnerable to harm from humans.