What are the differences between a bearded vulture and a griffon vulture?

These two kings of the sky can be found easily in our French mountains in summer. Their large wingspan lets them glide almost indefinitely over thermal currents with the wind. With an average wingspan of 2.6 m, the griffon vulture often travels in groups of several birds. It's not rare to see colonies of several dozen circling in the sky looking for food.
The bearded vulture is much more discreet. It flies alone until reaching sexual maturity (7 years) then in a pair and this is one way to identify it: if there are more than two then they are likely griffon vultures.

Real flying machines, their efficiency in the air gets them away from any threat quickly and therefore they aren’t unsettled by the presence of humans.
Unfortunately, some of our activities affect their habitat: high voltage lines and cable cars can injure them if they hit the cables. Paragliding may also be prohibited (overflight) over cliffs where there are nests. This is particularly valid for the bearded vultures as real efforts are in progress to reintroduce them to our mountains.
Unfortunately, another more recent activity is disturbing these special birds: leisure drones. Flown by humans to capture beautiful views, they frequently cross the path of griffon or bearded vultures, disturbing and frightening them when airborne. Drone pilots should take this factor into consideration in their flight spaces. Even if there is no visible restriction from the ground, their drone flies several kilometres from that point, perhaps into a prohibited zone and threatens the survival of these magnificent creatures.