Definition

Noun: 1. A large Old World vulture (Gypaetus barbatus): It is a bird of prey known for its distinctive appearance, including dark feathers around its eyes and bill that resemble a beard, and a primarily pale body with contrasting dark wings. 2. A scavenging raptor with unique dietary habits: Unlike most vultures, it specializes in eating bones, which it breaks by dropping them from great heights onto rocks.

Usage Examples

• The bearded vulture is also known as the lammergeier or ossifrage.
• Conservationists are working to protect the remaining bearded vulture populations in the mountains of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• We were lucky to spot a bearded vulture soaring above the cliff face.

Advanced Usage

• Ecological role: The term is used in ecological and ornithological contexts to describe a keystone scavenger that helps clean the environment and recycle nutrients by consuming carcass bones.
  • The bearded vulture plays a crucial role in its ecosystem by preventing the spread of disease from animal remains.

Variants and Related Words

• Lammergeier (noun): A common alternative name for the bearded vulture, from German meaning "lamb-vulture," though it does not typically prey on lambs.
• Ossifrage (noun): An older, less common name, from Latin meaning "bone-breaker."
• Gypaetus barbatus (noun): The scientific binomial name for the species.

Synonyms

• Lammergeier
• Ossifrage (archaic)

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Bearded vulture chick: Refers to the young of the species.
• Bearded vulture conservation: Refers to efforts to protect and reintroduce the species.

Noun

1. the largest Eurasian bird of prey; having black feathers hanging around the bill