Lammergeier

Posted on June 30, 2014 Updated on November 11, 2020

Gypaetus barbatus
Nepali Name: हाडफोर (Haadfor)

Milarepa Cave (Annapurna Circuit Trek), Manang, Nepal. ~4,000m. 6 May 2014. Photo: Ashish Shrestha.

Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus). Tserko Ri (Langtang Valley), Rasuwa, Nepal. 5,033m. 3 June, 2009. Photo: aB

Notes:
1. Bird with the longest wingspan in Nepal with some upto 9ft. It is a quite an experience to have this bird fly up close, its like a glider tearing through the air.
2. The word “Lammergeier” means Lamb-Eagle and  incorrectly ascribes the Golden Eagle’s property of livestock depredation to this rather docile bird.
3. Its Nepali Name Haadfor however rightly describes its preference for bone fragments which it acquires by dropping large bones from great heights.
4. Personally, I find the Lammergeier one of the most magnificent of the birds.