Sardona

Much to our delight, we were able to watch Sardona this year regularly in the Calfeisental. He has grown to be a magnificent Bearded Vulture. His plumage colouration already resembles that of an adult Bearded Vulture. The daring flight manoeuvres, which he presents to us repeatedly, show what great flyers Bearded Vultures are.

A frequent companion of Sardona was, as in late summer of 2013, a wild-hatched, three year old Bearded Vulture. Fortunately, we have found a small feather from this Bearded Vulture. This will be analyzed using genetic methods. The results should help us figure out where the Bearded Vulture comes from and which sex it has. Maybe Sardona  has already found a mate! If this is true, we still have to wait a bit, before the first brood is hatched in the Sarganserland. The adolescence of the Bearded Vulture takes a few years and sexual maturity begins only with 5 - 7 years.