:: FUNDACIÓN QUEBRANTAHUESOS ::

Reproduction

he reproductive units can be comprised of two or three adults. In the latter case in general there are two males and one female, although exceptionally reproductive units made up of four specimens have been observed.

Each one of these reproductive units works a surface area of 200 to 300 km², and they stay linked to their breeding area for the whole year. Here, it selects the rocks to make nests, normally in caves, although it also takes advantage of extremely steep ledges, covered cracks and cornices, with a preference for lime substrates, which provide a greater supply of this type of biotopes.

The nesting areas are defended territorially from other fellow adults or pre-adults, recording distances between occupied nests that vary between a minimum of 3 km. and a maximum of 28 km.

The oestrus period begins in October or November and lasts until December. The eggs are laid between the months of December and February, there being one or two eggs. The incubation lasts for 54 to 58 days.

REPRODUCTION TABLE OF THE BEARDED VULTURE

Two chicks may be hatched, but, however, only one survives as a result of the so-called “Cainism” phenomenon, whose ecological causes and implications are still not very clear. After the birth, the chick remains in the nest for 120 days.

Both during the incubation and in the later feeding of the chick, all the members of the reproductive unit take part, whether they be a couple, trio or quartet.

Juvenile dispersion

When the new winter comes around, the chick becomes independent. Then an erratic dispersion period starts, which will last until it is 5 or 6 years old. At that time it reaches it reproduction capacity or sexual maturity.

During this pre-adult phase, the individuals carry out ample dispersive movements throughout practically the whole Pyrenees, until they reach sexual maturity, when they form reproductive units and a breeding territory is established.

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

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orden de 21/08/1995, con el nº 5 (I). N.I.F. G-50653179