Observation of cannibalism in Eurasian Griffons Gyps fulvus

in Spain

Alvaro Camiña & Rafael Palomo

This note refers to an observation of cannibalism in Eurasian Griffon vultures

Gyps fulvus in Spain.

On the morning of 24 March 2002, during a survey of key feeding places for
carrion-eating birds in Spain, two Eurasian Griffons were observed feeding on
a griffon carcass in Ciudad Real Province, central Spain (38º38´N; 5º37´W).
When we arrived one young griffon was observed on four occasions to peck
at the griffon carcass. The second bird remained nearby watching our
activities and there were pieces of meat (possibly from the dead vulture)
hanging from its bill. The photograph illustrates the carcass of the griffon that
these two vultures were feeding on. The cause of death of the Eurasian
Griffon is currently being determined.

Dead vultures have previously been observed at this feeding place (R.
Palomo unpubl. data). During March 2001 21 griffon carcasses, of different
decaying status, were found, but it appeared as if none of them had been fed
on. These vultures were probably poisoned, but analyses which are currently
underway will determine the death of the birds. The lack of food could not be
the cause of such behavior. There is enough carcasses for supporting the
recorded vulture numbers of all species (see below). Competition between
conespecifics is unclear because most of birds were young or subadult (we
estimate that there are 98 young and subadult vultures per 2 adults, pers.
Obs.) and all could have similar probabilities of obtaining food. Interespecific
competition could be also excluded because the high number of griffons
present that exclude the other species when starting feeding.

We believe that this is the first observation of cannibalism in Spain. Donázar

(1993) did not refer to vultures feeding on the carcasses of conspecifics. The
only reference we found was on cannibalism in African White-backed Vultures
Pseudogyps africanus (Mundy et al. 1992). They also referred to an
observation by Mike Jarvis and his colleagues of cannibalism in Cape Griffons
Gyps coprotheres, but no details were provided.

The area in Ciudad Real Province where the Eurasian Griffons were seen is
an extensive farm where pigs and sheep are reared. As a consequence of the
high pig numbers (around 35,000) an illegal place for dropping carcasses
("muladar") was established by the farmer. With the help of the vultures,
livestock carcasses are easily and quickly disposed of. The maximum
numbers of carrion-eating recorded at this site have been: Eurasian Griffon -
ca. 1500, Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus - 50, Egyptian Vulture
Neophron percnopterus - 30, Black and Red Kites Milvus migrans and M.
milvus - 35. A Rüppell´s Griffon Gyps rueppellii was also observed and
photographed by R. Palomo (De Juana & Camiña 2001).

References
Donázar, J.A. 1993. Los Buitres Ibéricos, Biología y Conservación. J.M.
Reyero Ed. Madrid. 256 pp.
Mundy, P., Butchart, D., Ledger, J. & Piper, S., 1992. The vultures of Africa.
Acorn Books and Russel Friedman Books, Randburg and Halfway
House, South Africa. 460 pp.

Keywords: Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus.

Cannibalism, behaviour, diet.
Authors' address: Alvaro Camiña Cardenal and Rafael Palomo, Apartado
de Correos 339, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
E-mail address: acamia@airtel.net