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CINEREOUS VULTURE (EUROPEAN BLACK VULTURE) Aegypius monachus BIRD Order Falconiformes Description 3 ft long; avg 18 lbs, wingspan 8-9.5 ft. Female slightly larger and heavier. Plumage blackish or dark brown; head and neck blue-grey. Broad head covered in black or brown down. Relatively short neck, neck ruff of dark brown feathers, black crop-patch. Brown eyes, black beak, legs pale blue-grey or whitish-yellow. Range southern Europe east to southern China. Status Seriously threatened globally due to hunting, poisoning, habitat destruction and improved stock management. The international trade of this species is regulated by the law, since it may become endangered without regulated trade.