Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)

The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), also known as the lammergeier, is one of the most fascinating birds of the Dolomites and the Alpine region. With a wingspan that can exceed 2.5 metres, it is one of the largest birds of prey in Europe.

Extinct in the Alps at the beginning of the 20th century due to human persecution, the bearded vulture has returned to the Dolomites thanks to major reintroduction programmes. Today, it is one of the symbols of the revival of Alpine wildlife. Unlike other birds of prey, the bearded vulture has a unique behaviour, closely linked to its specialised diet.

Where the bearded vulture lives in the Dolomites

The bearded vulture inhabits the most remote and least disturbed areas of the Dolomites, typically between 1,500 and 3,000 metres above sea level. It favours open, rocky environments where human presence is limited and the landscape remains largely untouched.

It is most often seen along large rock faces, secluded valleys and high-altitude slopes, where it takes advantage of thermal updrafts. These conditions allow it to soar effortlessly for long distances while scanning the terrain below in search of carcasses.

For nesting, it selects steep and inaccessible rock walls, usually in very quiet areas far from busy trails. Wide open spaces are also essential for its feeding behaviour, which requires freedom of movement and suitable spots where it can drop bones from height to break them.

In the Dolomites, the species can be observed in several areas, particularly in well-preserved natural environments. Its presence has been recorded in the Pale di San Martino and the Brenta Dolomites.

In the Dolomiti d’Ampezzo Natural Park, three resident pairs of golden eagle are present, and a bearded vulture has also been sighted (not resident) around the peaks of Tofana di Rozes.

Those who spend time in the mountains, especially away from the most crowded areas, have a good chance of spotting it by carefully watching the sky.

How to recognise the bearded vulture

The bearded vulture is unmistakable, even from a distance. In flight it can be recognised by its long, narrow wings, wedge-shaped tail and slender body. The head is pale, with a distinctive dark mask, while adults often show a rusty orange coloration on the body.

Main features:

• long, narrow wings
• wedge-shaped tail
• pale head with dark mask
• orange coloration in adults

Diet: the bone eater

The bearded vulture has a unique feeding behaviour. Unlike other birds of prey, it does not hunt live animals but feeds almost entirely on bones, which can make up the vast majority of its diet.

When it finds large bones, it carries them into the air and drops them onto specific rocks, which act as natural “anvils”. This allows it to break them into smaller pieces that can be easily swallowed.

Its digestive system is extremely powerful and capable of processing even very hard material, including bone fragments and marrow. This makes it an essential species for the ecosystem, as it helps remove carcasses and contributes to keeping the mountain environment clean.

Behaviour

The bearded vulture is mostly solitary, although during the breeding season it forms stable pairs that can last for many years. It spends much of the day in flight, gliding effortlessly on thermal currents with great elegance and rarely flapping its wings.

Its flight is slow and controlled, often at high altitude, allowing it to cover long distances in search of food. It is not uncommon to see it soaring above valleys and rock faces, following the movement of the air with great precision.

Unlike other large raptors, the bearded vulture is not an active predator and does not attack live animals. It is generally calm and discreet, and tends to avoid contact with humans.

Despite its impressive size, it is an extremely cautious bird that mainly inhabits the most remote and undisturbed areas of the mountains.

Breeding

The bearded vulture breeds in winter, when the mountains are still covered in snow. Between January and February, the female lays one or two eggs in a large nest built on steep and inaccessible rock faces.

Incubation lasts about two months and is shared by both parents. In most cases, only one chick survives, remaining in the nest for several months before it is able to fly. This is a particularly sensitive phase, as the species is highly vulnerable to disturbance and requires a very quiet environment for successful breeding.

The call of the bearded vulture

The bearded vulture is generally a quiet bird. Unlike many other birds of prey, it rarely vocalises and is almost always silent in flight.

When it does produce sounds, these are soft, high-pitched calls, similar to short whistles, usually heard near the nest or during interactions between individuals.

Recording of bearded vulture calls – author: Thomas Signeau – source: Xeno-canto

The return of the bearded vulture to the Dolomites

The bearded vulture had completely disappeared from the Alps at the beginning of the 20th century due to hunting and widespread misconceptions. For a long time, it was wrongly believed to be a threat to livestock, leading to its systematic persecution.

In the 1980s, an international reintroduction programme was launched across the Alpine region. Birds bred in specialised centres were gradually released into carefully selected areas.

Over time, the species began to re-establish itself, forming breeding pairs and returning to nest naturally. Today it can be observed in several parts of the Alps, including the Dolomites, where its presence has become increasingly regular.

Despite this success, the species remains fragile. Its recovery depends on a delicate balance, closely linked to habitat protection and responsible human behaviour.

Protected species

The bearded vulture is a protected species at both European and national level. After disappearing from the Alps, its current presence is the result of long-term conservation and reintroduction efforts.

Despite its return, it remains vulnerable. The main threats include human disturbance near nesting sites, collisions with cables and infrastructure, and, in some cases, accidental poisoning.

For this reason, it is essential to respect its habitat, avoiding any disturbance near nesting areas — which are, in any case, usually located on steep and inaccessible cliffs — and maintaining a safe distance when observing it.

The presence of the bearded vulture in the Dolomites is a positive sign: it reflects an environment still capable of supporting rare and highly specialised species, but also one that requires ongoing care and respect.

Interesting facts

• The bearded vulture can exceed 2.5 metres in wingspan
• It is one of the few animals in the world that feeds almost exclusively on bones
• It stains its feathers orange by bathing in iron-rich dust
• It can live for over 30 years
• It is one of the symbols of the return of wildlife in the Alps

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Scientific classification of the bearded vulture

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