Griffon vulture; Buitre leonado

Description:

The Griffon Vulture is 93–110 cm long with a 2.3–2.8 m wingspan. In the nominate race the males weigh 6.2 to 10.5 kg and females typically weigh 6.5 to 11.3 kg. It is a typical Old World vulture in appearance, with a very white head, very broad wings and short tail feathers. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers. Like other vultures, it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals which it finds by soaring over open areas, often moving in flocks. It grunts and hisses at roosts or when feeding on carrion. The maximum lifespan recorded for the Griffon Vulture is 41.4 years, for a specimen in captivity.

Habitat:

Spotted at mediterranean forest, very close to Madrid downtown. Monte de El Pardo

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/500 sec.; f/11; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: +1 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm.