Himalayan Griffon

Himalayan Griffon Latest News

The Himalayan Griffon Vulture- which is usually found in the high-altitude region and migrates to Indian states —  was recently spotted in Melghat in the Amravati district of Maharashtra due to the presence of recently released captive-bred vultures.

About Himalayan Griffon

• It is one of the nine species of vultures found in India.
• It is a type of Old World Vulture.
• Scientific Name: Gyps himalayensis 

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Himalayan Griffon Distribution

• It is found along the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan region and is also found in the Central Asian mountains.
• Occasionally it migrates to northern India, but migration usually only occurs altitudinally.

Himalayan Griffon Features

• Himalayan vultures are huge, bulky vultures with stout bills, loosely feathered ruff, long wings, and a short tail. 
• They can weigh up to 12 kg with a body length of 95 to 130 cm and a wingspan of 270 to 300 cm.
• Due to sheer size and weight, these birds are incapable of sustained flapping flight and are thus often seen soaring on wind thermals.
• Juveniles generally experience a gradual change of body covering from white down to dark brown feathers, with the head remaining a whitish color. 
• Adults strongly contrast between cream and blackish, while the juveniles are dark.
• These are monogamous, and pairs return to the same nesting and roosting sites from year to year.
• Nests are built on ledges or in small caves 100 to 200 m up cliffs.
• These are diurnal and mostly solitary species.

Himalayan Griffon Conservation Status

It is classified as ‘Near Threatened‘ under the IUCN Red List.

Source: DH