COPULATION BEHAVIOR IN THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE NEOPHRON-PERCNOPTERUS

This paper presents the first detailed description of copulation behav iour in the Egyptian Vulture. The study was carried out in northern Sp ain during 1989-91. Pair copulations began around 25 days before layin g and were uncommon after the first egg was laid. Some copulations (11 .6%) were observed during the nestling period. Two extra-pair copulati on attempts were observed. The copulation behaviour of Egyptian Vultur es seems to be exceptional when compared with other raptors: mate atte ndance was intensive, especially during the days prior to laying and c opulation 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 f ertile period. Some copulations also occcurred during foraging trips.