{"id":39888,"date":"2025-03-25T18:55:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T16:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/?p=39888"},"modified":"2025-05-05T15:46:38","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T12:46:38","slug":"egyptian-vultures-wintering-population-in-caceres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/egyptian-vultures-wintering-population-in-caceres\/","title":{"rendered":"Egyptian Vultures consolidate their wintering population in C\u00e1ceres\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Egyptian Vulture is the smallest and the only true long-distance migratory vulture species in Europe. Most individuals spend their reproductive season in mainland Europe and migrate in autumn to spend the cold months in Africa. However, several islands populations, like the Canary and Balearic Islands ones, winter on the same grounds as they breed. Evidence gathered over the past two decades confirmed the presence of another non-migratory population in the Spanish province of C\u00e1ceres (Extremadura, Spain). This marks a significant development in the species’ ecology and conservation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Egyptian
\u00a9 Svetoslav Spasov<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Egyptian Vultures: globally endangered and declining <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Egyptian
\u00a9 Sander Meertins <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus<\/em>)<\/a> is known for its ability to use tools \u2013 such as using stones to crack open eggs \u2013 and its migratory habits. It is also the smallest among the European vultures and the only one declining despite multiple conservation initiatives.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The survival of the species across Europe and Africa is threatened by habitat destruction, poisoning, electrocution on power lines, and reduced food availability. The annual migration also poses significant risks, with over 50% of young birds not surviving their first flight to the wintering grounds.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The species is currently classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List, making the discovery of a stable wintering population in C\u00e1ceres particularly significant for conservation efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The wintering population in C\u00e1ceres <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The province of C\u00e1ceres (Extremadura \u2013 Spain) is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes woodlands, river valleys, and rocky outcrops. It hosts breeding populations of Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus<\/em>)<\/a>, Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus<\/em>)<\/a> and other raptors such as the Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti<\/em>) and the Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos<\/em>). The Monfrag\u00fce National Park presents the ideal foraging and nesting conditions for numerous raptor species, including the Egyptian Vulture<\/a>. In addition, the local extensive agricultural lands, livestock farms, and supplementary feeding stations provide a constant source of food for vultures throughout the year.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"griffon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Monfragu\u0308e<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Census Data: A Growing Population <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Observations of Egyptian Vultures<\/a> in winter date back to at least 1990. The demonstration of a wintering population in central-western C\u00e1ceres is relatively recent. The presence of multiple individuals over the winter was confirmed around 2008, after analysing data collected since 2001.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 2008 and 2013 only one roosting site was repeatedly surveyed. In 2014, the SEO-C\u00e1ceres Local Group led the first census with multiple teams, covering a larger area. The group has been monitoring the local Egyptian Vultures population every year<\/a>, with the following highlights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n