This is supposed to be the bird known as the Griffon Vulture or Great Vulture—the Gyps fulvus of the naturalists—though it may include other species. Its habits agree with those related of the eagle in scripture, and they are plentiful in Palestine. No sooner does an animal fall than these birds congregate in numbers on its carcass, according to Job 9:26 and Matthew 24:28. The true eagle is a solitary bird, but vultures are seldom found alone. The expression “beareth them on her wings” exactly describes the way the vultures bear up their young, and teach them to fly (Ex. 19:4; Deut. 32:11). The vulture also agrees with Micah 1:16 which speaks of its baldness, for the vulture’s head and neck are without feathers. Its swiftness is proverbial (Lam. 4:19), and it rests on the highest rocks (Job 39:27; Jer. 49:16). In Ezekiel and in the Revelation the living creatures have the eagle character as portraying the swiftness in execution of God’s power in creation and judicial government (Ezek. 1:10; Ezek. 10:14; Rev. 4:7).
Gyps Fulvus
Flying Gyps Fulvus