Griffon Vulture
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Subfamily | Aegypiinae |
| Genus | Gyps |
| Species | Gyps fulvus |
| taxonomy: Sibley and Monroe |
The Griffon Vulture (locally called Sip) is one of the largest birds in the Aksu-Djabagly nature reserve. With its 6 to 10 kg weight, a height of 95 to 110 cm and a span that can reach 280 cm this bird is an impressive view. The bird has a sandy brown color and relatively short legs. It feeds on dead animals, only eating the muscle meat and viscera.
Central Asia is not the only place on earth where you can find this bird. You can find it in Central and Southern Africa, Southern Europe and Central and Southern Asia. It prefers barren areas with few trees, mountain steppes and high plateaus, all of which can be found in the Aksu-Djabagly nature reserve.
The griffon vulture is not teritorial and nests of several pairs can usually be found on nesting grounds. These are mainly cliffs, and rock caves. In most cases there is one egg. The little griffon vulture is born after 45 to 52 days which is unusually long for vultures. It remains in the nest for 4 to 6 months. They can live upto 40 years.
The griffon vulture is known as the friendliest and most social of all vultures. Pairs often mate for lifes. They also socialize with people. The social properties are also visible when a griffon vulture has found a prey. When one drops to the ground because it has seen a prey, vultures in the neighbourhood will see this and the birds will wait together near the prey for other animals to open the carcass. This weak vulture species is not capable to do this and it is dependent on stronger birds or mammals.
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In a three-story building served by one elevator,
nine times out of ten the elevator car will be on a floor you are not.
DEDERA'S LAW
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