The Bearded Vulture is the only known animal whose diet is almost exclusively bone.
The bone-eating giant bird which coats itself minerals like copper to get its rusty hue for unknown cosmetic reasons, most likely to show dominance. The brighter the hue, the more dominant the male.
They probably need the copper because its anti-bacterial properties. useful if you’re a carrion eater.
The bird has a 9 ft wingspan.
Bearded Vultures provide an indispensable service to the ecosystem, checking the spread of disease by consuming corpses. But the bearded’s diet is 95 percent bone. It can wait for the other scavengers to strip the body clean, then stroll in at its leisure to take its fill.
One of my favorite raptors to see, the American Kestrel. This little guy was finishing his lunch and allowed me to get a few close-ups before flying away.
Studies of a beautiful red kite released yesterday on the nature reserve having recovered from being found grounded on a grouse moor a few weeks ago, full of shot pellets and with a broken wing.
Amazing work by the vets, wildlife rehabilitator and all involved! Back in the skies once more <3
the pied harrier is a medium-sized bird of prey with a wide distribution throughout asia. they are known for their distributive black-and-white coloration. this is a migratory species; during the breeding season, they are found in a wide range from russia to north korea , and during the winter they can be found anywhere between pakistan and the philippines. they feed on small mammals, reptiles, and small birds. the pied harrier also prefers wetland habitat.