The Himalayan vulture or Himalayan griffon vulture is an Old World vulture native to the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau. It is one of the two largest Old World vultures and true raptors. It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. It is not to be confused with the Eurasian griffon vulture, which is a similar and sympatric species.
Himalayan vulture
Adult spotted in Dhauladhar range
Juvenile in flight
Himalayan griffons in Spiti
Old World vultures are vultures that are found in the Old World, i.e. the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, and which belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, buzzards, kites, and hawks.
Old World vulture
Image: Bearded Vulture with bone Catalan Pyrenees Spain
Image: Palm nut Vulture Murchison Falls NP Uganda 06 5600 (15280673919)
Image: Egyptian vulture