The Longest Food Deprivation Period of aGriffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) Recorded in the Wild and Exceptionally Long Nest Attendance

The Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) is an obligate scavenger that feeds on large carcasses and provides critical ecosystem services. Vultures evolved various ecological and physiological adaptations to cope with the unpredictability of the food resources and withstand long starvation periods. However, there is a lack of empirical data from wild individuals. Here we describe a case of a male Griffon Vulture tagged with GSM/GPS-ACC transmitter, which withstood without food for over 36 consecutive days. It is the longest food deprivation period recorded for the species in the wild. This unusual behavior occurred during the incubation period. The loss of the female and the strong parental instinct forced the male to continue with the incubation of the egg and attend the nest for 31 consecutive days.