Copulatory behavior of the bearded vulture

We describe copulation activity by Bearded Vultures (Gypaetus barbatus) at nesting sites in the Pyrenees, northern Spain, between 1993 and 1995. Pairs copulated for an average period of 67 days (range: 50-90) prior to egg lay ing. Seventy-five percent of attempts ended in successful copulation. Pairs displayed a daily bimodal pattern of copulation, with copulations occurrin g most frequently in the evening. Low levels of opportunities for extra-pai r encounters (0.02 intrusions hr(-1)) were obtained despite the high densit y of reproductive individuals present. The high copulation rate observed ma y be explained by the potential risk of extra-pair copulations occurring wh ile a member of the pair is away foraging, an activity which takes up as mu ch as 65% of time each day. This species also showed a pattern of pair atte ntion similar to that of other species of raptors in which males guard thei r females during the fertile period.