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Bearded Vulture Bird: A huge bird hovering in the sky high above the mountains… and in its plate was not meat, but bones. Generally, when we talk about animal food, ‘bones’ do not come to mind as the first choice. Dogs are certainly an exception, but most creatures stay away from hard and difficult to digest bones.

But nature has also created such a unique bird which has made bones its main food. This is the Bearded Vulture, also known as Lammergeier. According to the report of Indian Express, this amazing vulture fulfills 70 to 90 percent of its diet only from bones. A feat that no other creature can do.

What is the biggest specialty of this bird?

This vulture, which flies over the rocks in the mountainous areas of Europe, Asia and Africa, does not compete with other carnivorous birds for meat. It has an eye on the parts that other hunters leave behind – bones. This choice is not a strange habit, but a deliberate survival strategy. The bone marrow present inside the bones is rich in fat and protein. When other birds are fighting for meat, this vulture peacefully claims the bones.

How does one eat big bones?

Bones are hard and it is not possible to swallow them whole every time. In such a situation, this vulture uses one of the most unique techniques of nature. When a bone is too big, this bird presses it in its beak and flies to a height of hundreds of meters. Then with precise aim he drops it on the rocks below. The bone breaks upon impact. Many times this process has to be repeated again and again to get pieces of the right size. This sight is not only exciting, but is also a proof of the amazing intelligence and patience of the bird.

Does its stomach really digest bones?

Yes, and this is its biggest biological strength. The stomach of this vulture contains very powerful acid (stomach acid), which dissolves even hard bones. While bones are waste for other animals, this bird converts them into energy. This digestive ability allows it to depend almost entirely on bones. An adaptability that has given it a distinct identity in nature.

Is it just a corpse-eater?

No. It would be a mistake to consider it an “ordinary vulture”. Finding the bones, dropping them from the right height, and then eating them safely—all take skill, intelligence, and patience. This bird plays an important role in its ecosystem. By eliminating the remains left by other animals, it recycles nutrients and helps keep the environment clean. Its presence in hilly areas ensures that not even the last part of any dead body goes waste.

Why is this a unique example of evolution?

Nature is the biggest key to survival. Adaptation. The Bearded Vulture is a living example of this principle. This bird has made the food which most creatures ignore, its strength. The next time you see a vulture circling in the sky, don’t just imagine a rotting carcass. Think of the bird that turns bones into life-giving food. This story shows how amazing and unpredictable the process of evolution can be.