Before
Bearded Vultures Is the only bird that uses cosmetics to dye its plumage. Beginning at about age 7, the vulture equivalent of adolescence, the birds begin frequenting red, iron-rich mud pits to dye their naturally white breast, neck, and head feathers.
The birds first dip their undersides, then use their beaks and talons to spread the tint from foot to
After
neck. Then they rub their heads against their stained shoulders. The result is a snappy suit of sunset orange.
Why would a big, burly, black-and-white vulture gussy itself up in blush? Red is very popular in the bird world and in Bearded Vulture society the color appears to be a status symbol. Females, the dominant sex, are brighter than males. Color intensity also grows with age. A bird often handles conflict by puffing out and displaying its dyed ’do.
