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Ecological niches are pre-distributed in the natural community and the neck is not to blame for the fact that he got such an unattractive role. The bird keeps many secrets hidden from ornithologists' eyes. Black Vulture settles in remote areas and does not tolerate close proximity to people. But the unsightly appearance does not prevent them from being excellent parents, they gently take care of the chicks and their chosen one.
On face horrible, good inside
One of the largest birds in the country does not shine with beauty and prefers to settle away from people. The appearance of the neck bears the imprint of its lifestyle and way of eating. He refers to scavengers. In nature, everything is rational, so the bird has a small head and a strong, pointed beak, allowing for a few minutes to break the carcass of the animal. The neck is almost devoid of feathers and covered with hard thick skin.Nature has foreseen everything, because feather cover is difficult to keep clean with a similar lifestyle. Powerful neck muscles, wide wingspan and keen eyesight help in obtaining food.
The bird “only” weighs 7–12 kg, food for maintaining life takes a lot. The neck has to be removed from the nest for 300 - 400 km. in search of food. Their legs and claws lack power, their strength is enough to keep food in the process of eating. The plumage in adults is black or brown. In soaring at a high altitude, they are beautiful in their own way, gracefully catching the rising currents of warm air.
People dislike scavengers, but in vain. It is they who maintain cleanliness on their territory, in time destroying dead animals and birds.
Habits and habits
The diet consists of carrion. Birds with the same excitement eat up a hare and an elephant. They act quickly. In an hour, 10 individuals completely destroy the carcass of antelope or cow. Not only meat but also skin, tendons and bones are used. The temper of the bird is violent. Usually several vultures fly on one carcass and cannot get lunch without a fight. In the heat of a scuffle, the birds eat so much that for some time they cannot rise into the air and sit, basking in the sun and assimilating food. They lead daytime life, settling for the night in the nest.
Young individuals mature slowly and only for 5 - 6 years of life create a pair. It is hard to believe, but they are very devoted to their partner and do not change it until the end of their lives. In the construction of the nest necks are not a trifle, creating a fundamental structure of more than 2 meters in diameter and about a meter in height. It is convenient for parents, incubating 1 - 2 eggs and hatched chicks, they are completely helpless for the first 3 - 4 months of life. Like every good host, a pair of vultures necessarily have one or more spare nests.They are also maintained in fair condition.
Birds are sedentary, only complete lack of food within reachable limits can force them to change places.
Fairy tales and profits
The peculiar look of the birds did not leave a person indifferent. In fairy tales and legends, mythical creatures with features of a neck gradually appeared. They became the prototype of the griffin in the legends of ancient Greece, some elements can be seen in the shape of the harpies and oriental birds of the Garuda. In Slavic mythology, he also left a noticeable mark, hitting the imperial flag of Tatarstan.
According to legends, griffins and similar beings live endlessly, taking the life energy of their victims. In fact, the vultures do not pose a threat to living organisms. And their life expectancy is completely inconclusive, within 38 - 39 years. Some centenarians celebrate half a century anniversary.
In ancient Egypt and Babylon, deities endowed the head of the neck, the people of India and Tibet considered the bird a conductor to the world of the dead.
Interesting Facts
Birds are secretive and the observation involves a certain amount of risk, but now the details of their lives are known.
- The black griffon has almost no enemies, but if they are insolent, they get hit by the upper part of the wing, raised vertically. As a rule, this showdown ends.
- Grifam holds the record of conquering a height of 11 km. and flight range. Cases have been recorded when the bird's nest was in Tanzania, and for lunch she flew to Kenya.
- Visual acuity allows you to see a dead animal from a height of 3 km.
- The neck has a very strong stomach. It digests not only bones and wool, but even the causative agents of cholera and anthrax.
Populations of black vultures are declining. In the first year of life, 20% of chicks die, only half live to adulthood. A contribution to the reduction of habitable places. According to unshakable laws, some species gradually die out, giving place under the sun to others. These birds are very few and nature will become much poorer without them.
Video: Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
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