Vultures play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by dealing with the carcasses of dead animals. This gallery focuses on the Old World vultures of Africa, Asia and Europe. Sadly, populations of vultures are in steep decline and many species are endangered or critically endangered.
Angelo Gandolfi / Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) gathering at Santa Cilia de Panzano feeding station. Sierra y Canones de Guara Natural Park, Aragon, Spain, July.
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Markus Varesvuo / Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) flock on ground, front vulture with wings spread, Spain, December
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Bernard Castelein / Cinereous / European black vulture (Aegypius monachus) spreading wings on ground, Rajasthan, India
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Jose B. Ruiz / Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) landing, Huesca, Spain.
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Tony Heald / White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) on carcass ribsChobe National Park, Botswana.
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David Tipling / Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) adult swallowing leg bone along with hoof, Spanish Pyrenees, July. This bird swallowed five of these leg bones whole, they have the ability to dissolve the bone in...
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Wild Wonders of Europe / Elander / Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) Andorra, June 2009
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Hanne & Jens Eriksen / Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) adult in flight, Oman, January