The Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus ("Bearded Vulture-Eagle"), is an Old world vulture, the only member of the genus Gypaetus. It breeds on crags in high mountains in southern Europe, Africa, India, and Tibet, laying one or two eggs in mid-winter which hatch at the beginning of spring. The population is resident. The Lammergeier has been successfully re-introduced into theAlps, but is still one of the rarest raptorsin Europe.
Like other vultures it is ascavanger, feeding mostly from carcasses ofdead animals. It usually disdains the rotting meat, however, and lives on a diet that is 90% bone marrow. It will drop large bones from a height to crack them into smaller pieces. Its old name of Ossifrage ("bone breaker") relates to this habit. Live tortoises are also dropped in similar fashion to crack them open.

Description
Unlike most vultures, the Bearded Vulture does not have a bald head. This huge bird is 95–125 cm (37–49 in) long with a wingspan of 275–308 cm (108–121 in) (10 feet), and is quite unlike most other vultures in flight due to its large, narrow wings and long, wedge-shaped tail feathers. It weighs 4.5–7.5 kg (9.9–17 lb).
The adult has a buff-yellow body and head, the latter with the black moustaches which give this species its alternative name. It may rub mud over its chin, breast and leg feathers, giving these areas a rust-coloured appearance. The tail feathers and wings are grey. The juvenile bird is dark all over, and takes five years to reach full maturity. The bearded Vulture is silent, apart from shrill whistles at the breeding crags, and can live up to 40 years in captivity.