bearded vulture: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “bearded vulture” mean?
A large Old World vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) with a distinctive tuft of black feathers beneath its beak, giving a bearded appearance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large Old World vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) with a distinctive tuft of black feathers beneath its beak, giving a bearded appearance.
The term can refer specifically to the bird species, known for its unique diet of bone marrow, or be used metaphorically to describe something or someone resembling this vulture in appearance (e.g., having facial hair) or behavior (e.g., scavenging, isolation).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'bearded vulture'. The term 'lammergeier' or 'lammergeyer' (from German) is an equally common alternative name in both varieties.
Connotations
Slight preference for 'lammergeier' in academic/wildlife contexts; 'bearded vulture' is more descriptive and common in public-facing media.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Higher frequency in ornithological, wildlife documentary, and highland/travel writing contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bearded vulture” in a Sentence
The bearded vulture [verbs: soars, scavenges, nests].A [adjective: rare, magnificent] bearded vulture.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in ornithology, zoology, ecology, and conservation biology texts.
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in nature documentaries, specialised travel writing, or crossword puzzles.
Technical
The standard term in zoological classification and wildlife conservation reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bearded vulture”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bearded vulture”
- Using 'bearded vulture' to refer to any vulture with head feathers.
- Misspelling as 'beard vulture'.
- Incorrect plural: 'bearded vultures' (correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is an Old World vulture, though its taxonomic placement is closer to eagles within the Accipitridae family.
It has a distinctive tuft of black, bristle-like feathers under its beak, resembling a beard.
It is the German-derived common name (meaning 'lamb-vulture') for the same bird, Gypaetus barbatus, used interchangeably with 'bearded vulture'.
They inhabit high, remote mountain ranges in Southern Europe, Africa, the Caucasus, and the Himalayas.
A large Old World vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) with a distinctive tuft of black feathers beneath its beak, giving a bearded appearance.
Bearded vulture is usually technical/formal in register.
Bearded vulture: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪədɪd ˈvʌltʃə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪrdɪd ˈvʌltʃər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a VULTURE with a long, distinguished, grey BEARD, like an old professor, soaring over mountains.
Conceptual Metaphor
ISOLATION/SPECIALISATION (due to its remote habitat and unique diet).
Practice
Quiz
What is a primary characteristic of the bearded vulture's diet?