Krk, the nearby island of Prvić, and the island of Cres are the last habitats for griffon vultures in Croatia. Cres, in particular, as a natural gem that has been largely untouched by mass tourism, is an especially good and important outpost for the majestic creatures.
Birds of prey, they belong to the scavenger group and feed on large dead animals, which are usually dead sheep on the island of Cres. Griffon Vultures are amongst the largest flying birds and measure up to 93 to 100cm in height, with a wingspan of 235 to 290cm, and weigh up to between 7 and 12kg. However, despite their scale and nature as birds of prey, they are actually gentle partners that mate for life, living in colonies of two, three, or five couples and spend almost all of their time together in marital flights. Pretty cute, right?
For the first five years of their lives, the birds leave Cres and migrate across Europe, Asia and Africa before returning to Cres to breed. Therefore, the birds you'll see on the island are babies and adults with all the teenagers and young adults off having adventures. Sadly, only 4-5 of the 40-50 hatched each year ever actually manage to return.
Birds of prey, they belong to the scavenger group and feed on large dead animals, which are usually dead sheep on the island of Cres. Griffon Vultures are amongst the largest flying birds and measure up to 93 to 100cm in height, with a wingspan of 235 to 290cm, and weigh up to between 7 and 12kg. However, despite their scale and nature as birds of prey, they are actually gentle partners that mate for life, living in colonies of two, three, or five couples and spend almost all of their time together in marital flights. Pretty cute, right?
For the first five years of their lives, the birds leave Cres and migrate across Europe, Asia and Africa before returning to Cres to breed. Therefore, the birds you'll see on the island are babies and adults with all the teenagers and young adults off having adventures. Sadly, only 4-5 of the 40-50 hatched each year ever actually manage to return.
