:: FUNDACIÓN QUEBRANTAHUESOS ::

Description

urrently, the existing knowledge about the species suggests that two sub-species should be differentiated Gypaetus barbatus barbatus, which includes specimens from Eurasia and Northern Africa, and Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis, which includes those from eastern and southern Africa.

The main differentiating character between both sub-species is the absence of a tuft of black feathers in the ear region in the Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis.

FEATURES AND DIMENSIONS

Its silhouette is very characteristic: narrow pointed wings with long, diamond-shaped tail.

Adult specimens with black-coloured back and wings, white head and stomach, although they are rarely seen like that. They are seen to have a more yellow – orange colour due to their habits of colouring their plumage with mud.

Drawings courtesy of the Generalitat de Catalunya. © Xabier Parellada

AGES

The plumage of the specimens varies from brownish tones when they are young until they reach adult plumage at the age of 5, being able to distinguish age groups.

Click on the photos to enlarge

Juvenile [From 0-12 months]:
Dark brown iris, dark even plumage colouring, no faults in primary and secondary (Wide feathers). White triangle on the back (shield).

Young [From 1-3 years]:
Dark head and neck, yellow iris, mottled chest and stomach feathers and toothed aspect of wings, with faults in plumage. It maintains the shield.

Subadult [From 3-6 years]:
Light head and brown covering feathers. The shield disappears.

Adult [> 6 years]:
Totally light-coloured stomach (white or orange) and black covering plumage. Narrow pointed wings.

VIDEOS

	Alight juvenile I (7 months)
	Alight juvenile II (7 months)
	Young and adult in flight I
	Young and adult in flight II
	Young and adult in flight III
	Alight young (2 years and 7 months)
	Alight young (1 year and 7 months)
	Imperfect alight adult (5 years and 7 months)
	Alight adult I (> 7 years)
	Alight adults II (> 7 years)
	Alight adult III (> 7 years)

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Fotografías: Francisco Marquez, F.C.Q. y Javier Tarruella

FCQ - Inscrita en el Registro de Fundaciones de la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón por
orden de 21/08/1995, con el nº 5 (I). N.I.F. G-50653179