Cinereous Vulture

Aegypius monachus (Linnaeus, 1766)

		Adultus Flying bird
2014-07-21 Yustyd R. head (junction of Boguty and Naryn-Gol Rivers), Kosh-Agach District, Altai Republic 2015-08-15 Kindyktikool Lake, Altai Republic	© Ilya Smelansky © Alexei Ebel

Distribution

Breeds in mountains in the south of Siberia (Altai, Tuva, somewhere in the south of Transbaikal). Summer nonbreeders can be seen more often. Vagrants in surrounding and more north regions, up to Tyumen' and Irkutsk Regions and even to soutehn Yakutia.

Biology

Black Vulture is rare breeding migrant. Inhabits the rocky low mountains and the gently sloping foothills of the high ridges on altitudes 1300-1500 m. In spring appears from the end of February to early April. Breeds in separate pairs on 200-1500 m apart and in loose colonies of 2-4 pairs. Nest is built on the rock, fall slope near the bush; or on the tree; nest is constructed from the dry twigs and is lined with hair, pieces of felt , grass and feathers; nest is used many years and is repaired every year. Laying of 1 egg is in mid-March – April. Both parents incubate for 55 days and feed the nestling which fledge in July – August. Autumn migration does not appear explicitly. In Mongolia, pat of birds (mainly young) go to Far East for wintering while adults stay around home regions.

References

В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Сибири". Москва-Екатеринбург, Изд-во "Кабинетный ученый", 2014.