The bearded vulture with a wing-span of over 2.6 metres is the largest bird in the Alps. There are numerous stories about this bird from the past, which are evidenced by old trivial names such as "chamois vulture" or "lamb vulture".
In Switzerland, it was deliberately decimated and eventually wiped out until the end of the 19th century due to competition and ignorance, as well as bounties. An international program to reintroduce them to the Alps began in 1986.
Status (in CH): rare, local breeding bird.
Characteristics: Very large bird of prey; compared to other vultures, narrow, pointed wings, long wedge-shaped tail. Young birds dark brown with lighter belly plumage; sexes the same.