Bearded Vulture Therian: Identifying Signs, Traits & Practical Tips

For some people, their love for birds, specifically the Bearded vulture, is more than just admiration for these majestic creatures.

The Bearded vulture therians are one such kind who are more than mere fans of this bird. In fact, they identify as Bearded vultures themselves or at least – the closest a human being can get.

What is a Bearded Vulture Therian?

A bearded vulture therian is a person who acknowledges their human physical body but identifies spiritually, emotionally, and in other ways, with the bearded vulture. They may sense a shift to become more vulture-like and can emulate aspects of the bearded vulture’s lifestyle.

A bearded vulture therian is not someone pretending to be their favorite bird. Unlike the Furry culture, for instance, in which people often choose one animal “Fursona” to emulate and dress as in a form of role play, the therian identifies personally with the bearded vulture as part of their ongoing identity.

Thus, for the bearded vulture therian, identifying with the bird is not a matter of role-play or creative expression. It is a persistent aspect of the individual’s sense of who they are and does not require a costume or separate personality used in the role-play realm.

Well, I may respect and admire bearded vultures, but this does not make me a therian. A Therian is someone who sees the bearded vulture’s qualities in their identity and feels fulfilled when emulating this bird’s behavior in some way.

Here, it is important not to confuse a bearded vulture therian with having a bearded vulture as a Spirit Animal. The human and Spirit Animal relationship is unique and powerful, yet this is also part of Indigenous and other closed cultures that people have historically appropriated. Using the term “Spirit Animal” loosely to describe an affinity for an animal or belief that you have a kinship with that animal is problematic if you are not part of the culture in which this concept derives. Unlike the concept of a Spirit Animal, a unique helper from the animal world who guides a person through a psychic and spiritual connection, a Therian is someone who recognizes they share a nonphysical but nevertheless identity connection with the animal world.

Thus, if I were to identify as a bearded vulture therian, I would see myself as this animal in some aspects, though I recognize that physically, I am human and not a bearded vulture.

Yes, a bearded vulture therian is not about joining with this animal in ceremony or receiving messages from a separate entity that is this animal’s spirit, necessarily. Instead, a bearded vulture therian feels themselves shift to embody this animal physically. They may crave settings associated with bearded vultures, such as seeking atmospheres where this animal lives. They would feel the urge to emulate the sounds a bearded vulture makes or use physical movement to imitate the bird’s movements.

It is also important not to mistake bearded vulture therian identity with gender or sexual identity. Identifying as a bearded vulture therian is not the same as identifying as part of the LGBTQIA community or as a “furry.”

Signs You May Be a Bearded Vulture Therian:

The concept of humans merging identities, personalities, and sometimes physical resemblance to an animal is not new. Though therians don’t need to identify physically with an animal, they relate on other levels. Thus, a bearded vulture therian is a person who feels they are merging or have merged identities with this type of bird.

Some people feel they are actually bearded vultures born erroneously into human body. They feel fulfilled when reconnecting with the bearded vulture through some activity normal for this bird, such as its movements or vocalization. Others feel a shift in which they feel less attuned to their humanity and more connected to the identity of a bearded vulture.

If you felt you were born in the wrong form and relate more to the lifestyle of scavenging and living apart from society than to human instincts, you may be a bearded vulture therian. But this is not the same as a person in an Indigenous culture who relates to the bearded vulture spiritually.

Additionally, you may know you are a bearded vulture therian when you find yourself feeling disconnected to your physical body. You may gradually feel you are “shifting” away from human form and rejecting an interest in human cultures and society.

In general, bearded vulture therians describe their awakening as a process in which they start gravitating toward bearded vultures, not only out of admiration for these majestic birds, but also in their mannerisms and habits. If you suddenly become more observant, obsessed with foraging and scavenging, and attracted to ledges, cliffs, and mountains, you may be awakening to this identity. You may feel compulsive urges to emulate the call of the bearded vulture and adopt their posture and stance.

Now, when you realize you are a bearded vulture therian, you may not “forget” that you are a human. Rather, you come to realize that aspects of yourself are aligned with the bearded vulture and you are not complete without adopting the behaviors and habits – or even vocalizations of this bird.

You may dream about being this bird or become more watchful. You suddenly prefer high places, giving you a vantage point to survey your surroundings. You may feel your body adapting or changing to be more like a bearded vulture; for instance, your posture adapts, and you may lean your head forward and keep your eyes scanning the horizon. You may take an interest in taxidermy and using the remains of animals you find as resources rather than discarding them. You are more mindful of the value of your surroundings.

Traits and Behavioral Characteristics of this Theriotype:

A Therian relating to a specific animal is called a “theriotype.” Therefore, a bearded vulture is the theriotype for this identity. The behavioral traits of this theriotype will mirror that of the bearded vulture.

People with this identity are resourceful and use all tools at their disposal. They can be piercing, keen, and observant. They are quiet, yet they can make a dramatic impact when they speak. They are opportunistic and can even mimic the appearance of the bearded vulture.

With this theriotype, you are a loner. You can be protective of your territory and don’t let others in easily. You are efficient and have what you need, but you prefer working alone to collaborating.

Bearded vultures do not hunt live prey, making them unique among scavengers. As a result, you are likely to take advantage of opportunities but not harm people in the process. You are clever and can be sensitive to others’ needs.

Things You Can Do to Embrace this Identity:

If you are a bearded vulture therian learning to embrace your identity, there are a number of ways you can delve deeper into this theriotype.

You can perform rituals and dances mimicking the stance, walk, and flight of the bearded vulture. You can learn new recipes that allow you to reinvent leftovers until they are finished rather than throwing food away. You can learn about scavenging for things that are safe to eat and spend time communing with nature by mountains and hillsides. You can use feathers to accentuate your clothes and make your physical appearance more closely aligned with the bearded vulture. Instead of sleeping in a standard bed, you may opt for a high loft bed.

Any or some of these steps will help you feel more aligned with this theriotype. Yes, adopting its diet, habits, physical movements, and habitat can help you feel more comfortable.

Other Practical Tips:

Bearded vulture therians can benefit from learning practical skills to express their identities and improve their lives. With this identity, you are attracted to refuse, roadkill, and activities like dumpster-diving may appeal to you.

Being a bearded vulture therian, you want to waste nothing. Therefore, you may derive an income from turning trash to treasure. You may also make things from fur or teeth of animals you find, creating an income without causing harm to the animals. However, you must learn to safely preserve and handle the remains you find.

Besides that, you may become an avid hiker, enjoying the view from above. You are not afraid of heights and prefer solitary camping in the hills. You can become adventurous and push boundaries by repurposing things you find.

Now, if you are exploring your identity as a bearded vulture therian, you may feel discouraged if the idea of taxidermy isn’t appealing. But not all bearded vulture therians are the same, and further, you don’t need to emulate this bird in all ways. You may have some aspects of the bearded vulture while maintaining some learned human behavior. So, if you think you are a bearded vulture therian, but a fear of germs keeps you from dumpster diving, you may express your identity in other ways. You may, for example, repurpose old clothes and furniture or other items rather than discarding them. You may be obsessed with conservation and your watchful and observant nature means nothing slips by you.

Conclusion

If you feel disconnected from your human side and suddenly crave foraging, you may be experiencing an awakening as a bearded vulture therian. People who identify as this bird have keen perceptive abilities. They recognize the value of what others discard and can be watchful and resourceful. But more than this, bearded vulture therians believe that an aspect of their being, is a bearded vulture who just happens to have been born with the body of a human.