| Kingdom : | Animalia |
| Phylum : | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order : | Falconiformes |
| Family : | Accipitridae |
| Genus : | Gypaetus |
| Zoological name : | Gypaetus barbatus |
| Found In : | Dachigam National Park , Ranthambore National Park, Valley of Flowers, Khangchendzonga National Park in India |
Physical appearance : Lammergeier are also called
Bearded Vulture. It is 108 cm long and weighs around 5- 7 kg. Its wings are
three meter long. They do-not have a bald head. Its tail and wings are gray
in colour. They have gray blackish hair on their back, wings and tail. They
have long, pointed wings and wedged tail. Its eyes are covered with the dark
feathers. Its chest is reddish brown in colour. It has spots on the breast
and have black and white stripes on the head. Its underparts are pale brown
in colour. Presence in India : It is wide spread in the Indian Himalayas. Dachigam National Park , Ranthambore National Park, Valley of Flowers, Khangchendzonga National Park in India.
Habitat : Lammergeier prefers high mountainous regions, cliffs and gorges, it lives up to an altitude of 25, 500 feet.
Diet : It mainly feeds on dead animals, small mammals, small birds, turtles and carrion. It is the only bone eating bird in the world.
Reproduction : Lammergeier attains sexual maturity at 5 years of age. They breed from January to July. Incubation takes 53 days. Mostly one or two eggs are laid, which are hatched in 58 days. Both males and females take care of the young ones. It breeds on hollow or crags in high mountainous areas. Young ones take 107 to 117 days to fly.
Conservation status : Least concern. This species now survives in only few areas. Lammergeier are mostly poisoned by the humans. Poaching, destruction of natural habitat and lack of food has seriously affected the population of Lammergeier. Many countries have already started the operation of breeding this species.
Lifespan : Lammergeier can live up to 40 years of age.
