Let us find out how a bearded vulture lives. It is a very big bird, and its wings spread 231 to 283 centimeters (91 to 111 inches) from tip to tip. It measures 94 to 125 centimeters (37 to 49 inches) from beak to tail. An adult weighs about 4.5 to 7 kilograms (10 to 15 pounds).

Bearded vultures live in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. They live high up in the mountains, in places between 300 and 4,500 meters above sea level.

A bearded vulture eats mostly bones. It swallows small bones whole, and very strong acid in its stomach helps it digest bones.

Now let us see what it does with a big bone. If a bone is too big to swallow, the bird carries it high up and drops it onto rocks. In Spain it is called Quebrantahuesos, which means bone breaker. Another name for it is lammergeier.

Next, let us see how it helps nature. A bearded vulture helps clean up nature by eating what other animals leave behind.

Now let us look at the bird itself. A bearded vulture has a dark beard by its beak, and both males and females have it. Most vultures have bald heads, but this bird has feathers on its head.

Next, let us look at its colors. A young bearded vulture is dark brown. A grown-up has orange feathers, most of all on its chest.

Now let us look at the nest. A bearded vulture builds its nest on a ledge of a rock cliff. It lines the nest with sticks, wool, hair and even rags.

Young chicks cannot digest bone, so their parents bring them fresh meat first.

Last, let us look at how it flies. A bearded vulture can glide for hours without flapping its wings.

Words to know

• digest: break down food
• acid: strong liquid
• ledge: rock shelf
• bald: with no feathers

The short version

A bearded vulture is a very big mountain bird that eats mostly bones. It lives in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa, in places between 300 and 4,500 meters above sea level. An adult weighs about 4.5 to 7 kilograms, and its wings spread 231 to 283 centimeters from tip to tip.

Quick facts

• An adult bearded vulture weighs about 4.5 to 7 kilograms (10 to 15 pounds).
• A bearded vulture's wings spread 231 to 283 centimeters (91 to 111 inches) from tip to tip.
• A bearded vulture measures 94 to 125 centimeters (37 to 49 inches) from beak to tail.
• If a bone is too big to swallow, a bearded vulture carries it high up and drops it onto rocks.