Taking care of precious eggs – the next generation of wild bearded vultures

Almost all of the pairs in the bearded vulture captive breeding network (coordinated by the VCF) are now incubating.  The behavioural ritual is impressive – the eggs are laid in a carefully prepared hollow, and incubated both by the female and the male. On a regular basis, the incubating adult will fluff up the wool by pecking at the hollow of the nest around the eggs (to improve isolation by airing the wool). It will then carefully place its feet at the side of the clutch and transfer its weight from one foot to the other, rubbing itself against the egg. It will then crouch down and cover the egg by raising the feathers on its stomach and chest while, at the same time, pushing it under its chest with its beak, and then it will rock its body quickly during the final stage