Vulture gang violence
There appears to be a strict social hierarchy and sense of corpse-etiquette amongst the Cinereous Vultures. These three have ganged up on one of their species. It’s pinned on its back while they enjoy their moment of triumph.
I’ve spotted a large number of quarrels amongst them. I suspect that most of the arguments are to do with sex and food. The ones in pairs seem to object to another Cinereous Vulture getting too friendly with their mate. I suspect it’s the males which are particularly offended. In addition, the ones with good access to a decent carcass seem to object to others coming too close and interrupting their meal.
I’m the same.
More from the Rhodope Mountains
Fluffy neck The fluffy neck feathers of these Griffon Vultures confused me for a moment. Why would you have a feather duster… read more
Hooded Crows and Griffon Vultures It's easy to lose track of scale when you spend time with Griffon Vultures. It's when a group of Hooded… read more
Tenderness It's hard to identify the emotions of birds. We're separated by 320 million years of evolution since our most recent… read more
Landing gear As a Griffon Vulture approaches, with its fingered-wings spread, and its tail deployed downwards to brake its flight, it gets… read more
Wingspan Griffon Vultures have a wingspan of 2.3–2.8 metres, which is 7.5–9.2 feet in old money. The technical term to describe them… read more
The Ministry of Vulture Walks Griffon Vultures have a most curious walk. It's a high-stepping display walk with neck and wings outstretched. It looks ridiculous,… read more
Seeing faces There's a strange faculty which humans and other animals have. It's the ability to see faces in things where there… read more
Scruffy, aren’t they? Cinereous Vultures are scruffy. Ragged wings, unkempt body feathers and tattered tails. Maybe it's just moulting. Or maybe it's just… read more
Love is in the air for Bulgaria’s Cinereous Vultures It's been minus 9 degrees overnight and we've been in the hide since before dawn. It's vital we don't disturb… read more