Lammergeier

Gypaetus barbatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

		adult
2012-11-22 Mountain Chyornaya, Chaganburgazy River, Altai Republic.	© Sergey Pisarevskiy

Biology

Lammergeier is rare resident. Inhabits the mountains on altitude 2000-4000 m, above the forest belt often, but on the food searching occurs in the lower altitudes also. The breeding begins very early, the mating behaviour and nest building were observed in October - December. Nest is built in the rock cave, often obtainable only from air; nest is constructed from the thick twigs and is lined with rags, hair and other soft material. Both parents build the nest for about 55-60 days. Each pair has 2-3 nests which is used for breeding by rotation and is repaired each year. Laying of 1-2 eggs is in December – February. Both parents incubate for 55-57 days, and feed the nestlings. Chicks hatch in March and fledge in early June – July, at the age about 3.5 months old, but the long time juveniles are dependent on parents in the feeding. In autumn Lammergeiers become nomadic but the details of them life in this season aren't explored.

References

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