Vulture (bird)
An Indian vulture (representative of the Old World vulture) in the nest ( Orchha , Madhya Pradesh , India)
Vulture (from Middle High German gīr ) is the name for a number of mostly large to very large species of birds of prey (Accipitriformes), which mostly or exclusively eat carrion . In the early days of the zoological system , the species of vulture known or perceived at the time were combined with the harpy in the genus Vultur (Latin for "vulture"). Today they are distributed over several genera in several families and subfamilies , which, as demonstrated by comparisons of gene sequences, are not directly related to one another. The "vultures" therefore do not form a monophylum and their similar way of life and the partially similar appearance are due to convergent evolution .
The common name "Geier" is used to describe:
- from the family of hawks (Accipitridae)
- the species of the subfamily of Old World Vultures (Aegypiinae), occurring in southern Europe, Africa and Asia;
- three of four species of the subfamily Gypaetinae , which includes the bearded vulture ;
- the species of the New World vulture family (Cathartidae), occurring in North and South America.
literature
- T. Mebs and D. Schmidt: The birds of prey in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 3-440-09585-1 .