Occurrence of the griffon vulture Gyps fulvus and the black vulture Aegypius monachus in central europe in the 21st century

Abstract

Abstract The paper presents an overview of the occurrence of two vulture species: the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) and the black vulture (Aegypius monachus) in Central Europe in the 21 st century. The number of records of griffon vultures has been increasing in recent years. After a first peak in the year 2007, the number of records has been steadily increasing again since 201 0. In some years (especially 2007 and 201 2) the occurrences showed the characteristics of an influx, similar to the development in Western and Western-Central Europe. In addition, this period coincides with changes in European sanitary legislation affecting the availability of livestock carcasses. Most of the records come from the summer months. It is likely that the increased occurrence is a result of increasing populations in South-Eastern but also in South-Western Europe, as well as being influenced by food shortages in south-western populations (mainly Spain). Both of these regions can be considered as likely origins of the birds observed in Eastern-Central Europe. The number of records of black vultures do not show a similar pattern, although there are indications that birds from the reintroduced population in central France also turn up as far afield as Eastern Europe.