Greater Spotted Eagle vs Griffon Vulture

Clanga clanga compared with Gyps fulvus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Greater Spotted Eagle Griffon Vulture
Scientific Name Clanga clanga Gyps fulvus
Order Accipitriformes Accipitriformes
Family Accipitridae Accipitridae
Conservation Status Vulnerable Least Concern
Length 100.0 cm (39.4 in)
Wingspan 102.1 cm (40.2 in) 260.0 cm (102.4 in)
Weight 2125.0 g (74.96 oz) 8500.0 g (299.83 oz)
Diet -- Exclusively carrion, primarily large mammal carcasses. Feeds communally, with groups of vultures able to strip …
Clutch Size 1-3 1
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Greater Spotted Eagle
Griffon Vulture 100.0 cm
Wingspan
Greater Spotted Eagle 102.1 cm
Griffon Vulture 260.0 cm
Weight
Greater Spotted Eagle 2125.0 g
Griffon Vulture 8500.0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Greater Spotted Eagle only

Griffon Vulture only

Griffon Vulture

Mountains, cliffs, and open grasslands. Nests on cliff ledges in colonies. Requires thermals for soaring flight.

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Song & Call Comparison

Greater Spotted Eagle

Griffon Vulture

Song

Generally silent; hisses and grunts at carrion with other vultures. Gives low croaking 'arrr' near nest. At colonies produces cackling and grunting — not melodic vocalizations.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Greater Spotted Eagle

Griffon Vulture

Southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Resident in most of its range.

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Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Greater Spotted Eagle

Least Concern

Griffon Vulture

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How to Tell Them Apart

Greater Spotted Eagle

Griffon Vulture

Plumage

Tawny-brown body with darker flight feathers. White neck ruff and bare greyish head. Long broad wings held flat when soaring.

Bill

Hooked yellowish bill adapted for tearing carrion

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About These Birds

Griffon Vulture

The griffon vulture is one of Europe's largest flying birds and a crucial scavenger in Mediterranean ecosystems. These social birds nest in large cliff colonies and can soar for hours using thermals without flapping. Vulture populations faced a crisis from the veterinary drug diclofenac, which proved fatal when consumed through contaminated carcasses.

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Related Comparisons

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