King of the Alps: The Bearded Vulture

The bearded vulture is the largest bird in the Alps and one of the rarest raptors in Europe. This magnificent bird once flourished in almost all mountain ranges of southern Europe and the Alps, but today it is found only in high alpine areas, where it nests on rock ledges. Also known as the lammergeyer, it has a wingspan of nearly 9 feet and can weigh up to 15 lbs. It is the only animal that feeds almost exclusively on bone, throwing larger bones from on high to rocky slopes below in order to break them, then descending in a spiral flight to feast. Annie Van Dinther talks with Italian Expedition Leader Andrea Serena about this fascinating bird, tracing its natural history, biology and conservation efforts including a breeding program to return bearded vultures to their native Alpine terrain. Historically, the bearded vulture was feared, and people in mountain communities believed they attacked lambs and even young children. As a result, they were hunted and eventually eradicated in the Alps. Having studied the species closely for years, Andrea has gained notable expertise on bearded vultures while guiding in the alpine environment where the repopulation program took place.


Originally presented December 9, 2021

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