COPULATION BEHAVIOR IN THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE NEOPHRON-PERCNOPTERUS

This paper presents the first detailed description of copulation behaviour in the Egyptian Vulture. The study was carried out in northern Spain during 1989-91. Pair copulations began around 25 days before laying and were uncommon after the first egg was laid. Some copulations (11.6%) were observed during the nestling period. Two extra-pair copulation attempts were observed. The copulation behaviour of Egyptian Vultures seems to be exceptional when compared with other raptors: mate attendance was intensive, especially during the days prior to laying and copulation frequency was high even considering only those performed in the nesting territory: 55 +/- 18 copulations/female between days - 15 and 0, and a maximum of 9 copulations/female/day during the presumed fertile period. Some copulations also occcurred during foraging trips.