High in the Pyrenees, a group of cyclists got far closer to nature than they bargained for. Climbing a quiet mountain road, they first noticed a flock of enormous birds circling lazily overhead, riding thermals. After rounding a bend that nearly ran into dozens of griffon vultures perched along the hillside and standing in the road.
Startled by the approaching riders, the birds simultaneously took flight. With wingspans stretching up to 9 feet and flying close over head, the cyclists luckily maintained their composure and have avoided a crash. Griffon vultures are among Europe’s biggest flying birds, weighing up to 24 pounds.
The griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a scavenger, not a predator, feeding almost exclusively on carrion. Its bald head and neck (an adaptation that keeps feathers clean while feeding deep inside carcasses) give it a distinctive, prehistoric look. These birds nest colonially on cliff ledges and can often be seen gathering in large numbers wherever a carcass, or in this case simply a warm, updraft-friendly roadside slope, draws them together.
The Pyrenees are one of the last strongholds for griffon vultures in Western Europe, home to thousands of breeding pairs thanks to the region’s cliffs, open pastures, and traditional livestock farming, which historically provided a steady food source. Conservation efforts across Spain and France have helped populations rebound dramatically since the 20th century, after decades of decline from poisoning and habitat loss.
For these cyclists, what began as a peaceful climb turned into an unforgettable brush with one of Europe’s most incredible flying creatures.
