ONE TRIP TO SEE BLACK & GRIFFON VULTURES

Both vulture species are well represented in Madrid and Central Spain.

The most common large vulture is the Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), widespread over the spanish mountains. On the contrary the Black vulture (Aegypius monachus) is rare (although Spain has 70% worldwide), but can be seen in the southwestern part of the Madrid province. e.g.  Encinares del Rio Cofio, El Pardo or northern mountains.

Usually it´s possible to observe both vultures in a row, or together in groups, which make more difficult to recoznice them depending of the number and distance.

Last 01.11.06 Carlos Diaz and I took this wonderfull picture (see above) where one can compare the difference in flight of both vultures.

In Spain, there are also other vultures such are Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), also represented in Madrid Province during the breeding season; and Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) only presented in Pirinees