Himalayan Vulture

Chail - April 2012

The Himalayan Vulture or Himalayan Griffon Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae. Closely related to theEuropean Griffon Vulture (G. fulvus) and once considered a subspecies of it, this species is found along the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau.

This is a large vulture, the largest in the Himalayas. Adults have a ruff that is long and pale brown with white streaks. The ruff feathers are long and spiky, the head is covered in down and the legs are feathered. The upperside is unstreaked buff, has a pale blue facial skin (dark blue in Gyps fulvus), a yellowish bill and pinkish legs.