NOTES ON BEHAVIOR OF THE GRIFFON VULTURES (GYPS FULVUS) DURING RECOVERY OF THE SPECIES IN KRESNA GORGE AND KOTLENSKA PLANINA
VENCESLAV DELOV
Department of Zoology and anthropology, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tzankov str., 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria
*Corresponding author: vencidelov@abv.bg
Keywords: Gyps fulvus, behavior, recovery in Bulgaria, release, adaptation
Abstract: Restoring populations of Griffon Vulture in Bulgaria is a complex process, which includes importing of birds from Spain. They are later released in the Kotlenska Planina (near the town of Kotel) and in Kresna Gorge. The birds were preliminary hold in aviary, then released into the wild. The data on bird’s behavior was collected by direct observations and by analyzing videotapes. The method used is free description of the behavior “ad libitum”. In the present work are described mainly forms of social and agonistic behavior from interspecific and intraspecific points of view, nesting behavior, incubation behavior. Specific behavioral strategies were analyzed - associated with feeding behavior and diurnal activity.