Himalayan Vulture UPSC NOTE

 

Himalayan Vulture

• The Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) or Himalayan griffon vulture is an Old World vulture native to the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau. 

• It is one of the two largest Old World vultures and true raptors. 

• It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. 

• It is not to be confused with the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), which is a similar and sympatric species.

• It is the largest of the Gyps species, averaging larger in every method of measurement than its relatives, and is perhaps the largest and heaviest bird in the Himalayas.