The Bearded Vulture is the only bird that survives almost exclusively on a diet of bones.

The Bearded Vulture, also known as the Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), is a unique scavenger found in mountainous regions across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Unlike other vultures that eat soft tissue, these birds have evolved to consume bone marrow and the bone itself. Research published in journals like 'The Auk' confirms that bones constitute nearly 90% of their nutritional intake.To process such a dense food source, the Bearded Vulture has developed a specialized digestive system. Its stomach acid has a pH level of approximately 1, which is significantly more acidic than human stomach acid. This extreme acidity allows the bird to digest large bone fragments and extract proteins and fats that other scavengers cannot access.When a bone is too large to swallow whole, the vulture uses a technique called 'ossifrage.' It carries the bone to heights of 50 to 150 meters and drops it onto flat rocky areas known as ossuaries. This behavior is learned over several years and allows the bird to break bones into manageable, swallowable pieces.This evolutionary niche provides a constant food source with little competition. Because bones do not decay as quickly as meat, these vultures can survive in harsh environments where fresh carcasses are rare. Their role in the ecosystem is vital as they help clean up remains that would otherwise take years to decompose naturally.