Griffon Vulture

[[image: GriffonVulture.jpg ]]

[[image: GriffonVulture.jpg ]]

'''Scientific Name:''' Gyps fulvus

'''Scientific Name:''' Gyps fulvus

'''Habitat:''' Europe, Africa and Asia; Found in South Europe, Northern Africa, Mesopotamia and Northern India. The largest numbers of Eurasian Griffon Vultures are found in Spain, but there are significant populations in Turkey, Gibraltar, and Bosphorus.  They favor the more southern parts of their range, and can tolerate inclement weather such as rain, mist, and snow fairly well.  Though they avoid wetlands and marine areas, they are very fond of fresh and running water, for bathing and drinking.

'''Habitat:''' Europe, Africa and Asia; Found in South Europe, Northern Africa, Mesopotamia and Northern India. The largest numbers of Eurasian Griffon Vultures are found in Spain, but there are significant populations in Turkey, Gibraltar, and Bosphorus.  They favor the more southern parts of their range, and can tolerate inclement weather such as rain, mist, and snow fairly well.  Though they avoid wetlands and marine areas, they are very fond of fresh and running water, for bathing and drinking.

'''Diet:''' Wide variety of carrion, from small mammals to dead cows. Also, some insects, other invertebrates and some fruit.

'''Diet:''' Wide variety of carrion, from small mammals to dead cows. Also, some insects, other invertebrates and some fruit.

At least five different species of vulture (neret) lived in ancient Egypt. The particular species shown in the hieroglyph is the Griffon vulture.  The vulture was typically associated with the goddess Nekhebet who was the patroness of the city of El-Kab in Upper Egypt. When El-Kab became important early in ancient Egyptian history, the vulture soon became a heraldic creature for all of Upper Egypt. As such, the vulture was often shown with the cobra (the herald of Lower Egypt) wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt. She also appeared in the nebty or "Two Ladies" name of the pharaoh.

At least five different species of vulture (neret) lived in ancient Egypt. The particular species shown in the hieroglyph is the Griffon vulture.  The vulture was typically associated with the goddess Nekhebet who was the patroness of the city of El-Kab in Upper Egypt. When El-Kab became important early in ancient Egyptian history, the vulture soon became a heraldic creature for all of Upper Egypt. As such, the vulture was often shown with the cobra (the herald of Lower Egypt) wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt. She also appeared in the nebty or "Two Ladies" name of the pharaoh.