Bearded Vultures’ Nests Revealed as ‘Natural Museums’ of Historical Artifacts
The bearded vulture, known for its bone-centric diet, has long intrigued ornithologists. Now, a new study suggests that these fascinating birds might be even more remarkable than previously thought. Their intricately constructed nests, which are used across multiple generations, could also serve as “natural museums,” preserving ancient cultural artifacts, scientists have discovered.
In a study conducted in Spain, researchers examined a dozen bearded vulture nests from 2008 to 2014. By analyzing the nests layer by layer, they uncovered over 200 human-made items that the vultures had likely repurposed as building materials. Carbon dating of these artifacts revealed that the nests date back at least to the 13th century, with the oldest object being a sandal that’s more than 700 years old. The groundbreaking findings were published on September 11 in the journal Ecology.
Bearded Vultures’ Nests: A Surprising Repository of Historical Artifacts
“We knew that the bearded vulture is capable of transporting objects to its nest for construction, but we were astonished by the number and age of the items we found,” said Antoni Margalida, the lead author of the study and an ecologist at the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology, part of the Spanish National Research Council in Jaca, Spain. “This discovery shows that these sites, used for centuries, are prime breeding locations that successive generations of vultures have relied on.”
The study not only opens new possibilities for uncovering historical artifacts but could also contribute to future conservation strategies for the species, the researchers noted.
Artifacts in Vulture Nests
The bearded vulture is unique among vertebrates for its specialized bone-eating diet, which makes up as much as 90% of its food intake. While the research team originally set out to examine historical nests—those abandoned either due to local extinction or changes in habitat—they were mainly focused on studying bone remains to understand the diet of past vulture populations and compare it to the dietary habits of today’s vultures. Instead, they stumbled upon a treasure trove of human-made artifacts, offering an unexpected glimpse into the past.
Bearded Vultures’ Nests Unveil Surprising Collection of Human Artifacts
The discovery of a large number of human-made objects within the bearded vulture’s historical nests took researchers by surprise. Over 9% of the items retrieved from these nests were crafted by humans.
Among the remarkable finds was a sandal made of woven twigs and grasses, which turned out to be the oldest artifact, dating back more than 700 years. Other items discovered in the nests included a painted piece of medieval leather resembling a mask, remnants of an 18th-century basket, an arrow from a crossbow, horse rigging and ropes, and more. While the sandal has been carbon-dated, the team has yet to analyze the age of the other artifacts, according to Margalida.
The discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into human culture, says Margalida. “These findings can tell us about how people dressed, hunted—with tools like slingshots and crossbows—and which wild and domestic species were prevalent in the environment,” he explained.
The bearded vulture, with its impressive wingspan of nearly 10 feet (3 meters), typically nests in cliff caves or rocky areas where the stable temperatures and humidity help preserve both bone remains and man-made objects. This unique nesting environment has played a key role in the preservation of these materials.
“This study opens a whole new perspective on the relationship between the Bearded Vulture and human history,” said John Fitzpatrick, director emeritus of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in an email.
Fitzpatrick, who is also a professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University, remarked that the recognition of bearded vultures as “recording artists” documenting human history only adds to their fascinating mystique, though he was not involved in the new study.
In southern Spain, where researchers recovered the nests, bearded vultures have been locally extinct for 70 to 130 years, according to the study. To locate the nest sites, the team spent years examining historical records and speaking with elderly residents who remembered the birds when they were still in the area. Today, bearded vultures can still be found in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, but their populations are not as widespread as they were in past centuries.
“While the research was focused in Spain, the Bearded Vulture’s range extends across the Old World, including the Himalayas, the Caucasus, and the Ethiopian highlands,” explained Evan Buechley, a raptor ecology researcher and vice president of conservation at The Peregrine Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving birds of prey globally. Buechley, who was not involved with the study, added that studying nests in other regions, like Ethiopia or Tibet, could offer fascinating insights into the human histories of other mountainous areas around the world.
Efforts to conserve the bearded vulture are crucial. In 2014, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the species as near-threatened. By studying both active and abandoned nests, researchers can gain valuable information about the factors that make habitats suitable for the vultures—such as diet or the impact of pesticides in the area, according to Margalida.
Buechley also noted that understanding the species’ historical factors, such as their breeding patterns and diet, could provide valuable insights for future reintroduction efforts. This knowledge would help researchers determine the most suitable locations and methods for bringing the species back to areas where they have been lost.
The study further emphasizes the significant impact humans have on wildlife. Buechley highlighted the example of the California condor, a critically endangered New World vulture. The condor faces challenges with its chicks ingesting trash that parents bring back to their nests. “This serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving large areas of wild habitat, free from the harmful toxins humans create and leave behind,” Fitzpatrick said. “Even creatures as resilient as Bearded Vultures can inadvertently bring human-made pollutants back to their nests.”
Fitzpatrick added that the Bearded Vulture holds a special place in the hearts of those who are familiar with the species. “Anything that sheds light on the fascinating ways in which wild birds and human culture intersect is incredibly valuable,” he said. “Not only does it enhance our appreciation of the natural world, but it also strengthens our commitment to protecting wild species and their habitats for the long term.”
Taylor Nicioli is a freelance journalist based in New York.
Leave a Reply