Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/yq32oh8zl9
Quaternary history of vultures in Bulgaria – fossil and subfossil records
Zlatozar N. Boev
orcid.org/0000-0002-8049-7509
; National Museum of Natural History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Based on their bone remains, four species of vultures have been identified
in Bulgaria so far, one of which, Gyps bochenskii, has a preglacial
distribution and is extinct. Of the remaining three recent species, Cinereous
Vulture Aegypius monachus has the most ancient distribution (from
about 1.6 Ma ago). In general, vultures in Bulgaria were distributed from
Gelasian to Meghalayan. Except for the site of G. bochenskii, the sites of all
other vultures represent inhabited caves or ancient and medieval settlements
in Bulgaria. The most widespread is the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus,
followed by the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus. Analysis of the
bone finds shows no traces of processing with a view to any specific use.
Most of the deposits are located in the foothills and semi-mountainous
regions of the country with an altitude of 92 to 544 m.
Keywords
Accipitrid vultures; subfossil birds; ornithoarchaeology; Quaternary fauna; birds of Balkans; rare birds
Hrčak ID:
323320
URI
Publication date:
10.12.2024.
Visits: 0 *