 Cinereous vultures are the largest old world vultures, and they are declining globally. Cinereous vultures are classified as Near Threatened by The World Conservation Union (IUCN) due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting.
This study takes place in Mongolia, where one of the last healthy populations of these vultures remains. The goals of this study of vulture breeding ecology were to determine breeding success rates, to compare nests constructed on trees with those built on rocky outcrops, to gather data on chick development, and to assess factors influencing nesting success.
Researchers canvass the area in the spring to locate nests with eggs. These nests are then carefully monitored over the course of the summer. When the chicks hatch, they are periodically measured while they remain in their nests. The nests themselves are also measured, along with several other variables associated with the nests for statistical analyses.
 So far, researchers have located and measured 220 nest sites from 2003-2006. Of these, they have tracked 42 active nests in 2003, 19 nests in 2004, 71 nests in 2005, and 75 nests in 2006; most chicks survived. It was also found that there was no difference in success rates for nests on rocky outcrops or trees and the overall success rate was 36-46%. Researchers will be working to determine which factors influence nesting success rates the greatest. They are also currently analyzing data collected on chick development. Results will help to better understand these impressive animals and help develop a conservation management plan for the species in Mongolia.
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