Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Aegypius
Species: A. monachus
Portugal
Endangered
Spain
Near Threatened
Global
Near Threatened
Sometimes mistaken for a griffon vulture, this is actually the largest scavenging raptor in Europe, reaching a wingspan of 3 meters. It typically occurs in places with low human occupation and high availability of food, animal carcasses. Therefore, they play a crucial role in cleaning up ecosystems and recycling nutrients.
It nests in mountainous areas with gentle ridges and steep valleys with rich Mediterranean vegetation. The feeding habitat is composed of vast areas of cereals and extensive grazing, as well as areas of sparse scrubland.
In Portugal, the breeding population became extinct in the 70s. The recovery of the species in Spain, through various conservation efforts, allowed recolonization with breeding pairs mainly near the border. Subsequent conservation projects in Portugal (such as the LIFE Habitat Lince Abutre) have supported its population recovery.
Since 2010, the species has been growing with a considerable increase in its range. The majority of the European population is found in Spain and in Portugal, where four breeding nuclei can be identified: Tejo Internacional, Moura/Barrancos and small colonies in Serra da Malcata and Douro Internacional.
