Birds - Bearded Vulture

The bearded vulture is the Alps largest bird and one of the rarest raptors in Europe. It nests on high rock ledges and inhabits exclusively high mountainous areas (1,600-13,000 feet). It can be found usually above the tree line, in rugged areas with steep slopes and in alpine pastures Bearded Vultures were once found in almost all mountain ranges of southern Europe and in the Alps. Porbably no other raptor has made such a deep impression on people, as is shown by the numerous fables and legends concerning it. Appoximately 100 breeding pairs exist in Europe today.