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Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppellii) at Tanger Med Port, Morocco (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Piqa
- Start date
Acrocephalus
Well-known member
Hi,
Thanks Abdo for posting this, I hopped that someone will see the bird later in Spain. The bird I saw was a huge vulture, with the following characteristics:
- Broad-winged bird
- Most of the back is grey (nearly 1/2 of wing’s surface: in the front, the other half is black), with outermost primaries also black.
- Small tail
To me these features will exclude Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture and large Eagles like Golden Eagle. I saw all these species in numerous occasions.
But what it puzzled me is that the bird seen alone. Whereas I read that Rüppell’s Vultures seen in Spain and Ceuta are almost seen in the company of Griffon Vultures as they travelled with them from the Sahel region in Africa. Also, the bird flapped its wings.
I would appreciate any comments on this.
Best
Thanks Abdo for posting this, I hopped that someone will see the bird later in Spain. The bird I saw was a huge vulture, with the following characteristics:
- Broad-winged bird
- Most of the back is grey (nearly 1/2 of wing’s surface: in the front, the other half is black), with outermost primaries also black.
- Small tail
To me these features will exclude Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture and large Eagles like Golden Eagle. I saw all these species in numerous occasions.
But what it puzzled me is that the bird seen alone. Whereas I read that Rüppell’s Vultures seen in Spain and Ceuta are almost seen in the company of Griffon Vultures as they travelled with them from the Sahel region in Africa. Also, the bird flapped its wings.
I would appreciate any comments on this.
Best
John Cantelo
Well-known member
Hi,
I don't think the fact that the bird was alone is unduely significant. Whilst vultures tend to be pretty social, they often forage individually. If this bird was out and about looking for food, rather than making a serious attempt to cross the straits, then I see no reason why it shouldn't be alone.
Howver, I fear that you will need more detail on this bird to convince any rarities committee. Ruppell's averages smaller than Griffon (although there is overlap) so the description of it as 'huge' (if you mean by that that it was larger than Griffons) is not helpful. It's proportions are also similar to Griffon's so the 'broad wings' and 'small tail' only suggest it was a vulture nothing more. The ID seems to hinge on the 'grey' wings which suggests that if it was a Ruppell's it was an adult (which have pale buffy 'scalloping' on the forewing which, I assume, could be taken as grey). However, in bright light and at difficult angles, particularly when the light is reflected, Griffons can seem to have greyish backs. Hence I don't think this feature is definitive either. Getting a good look at the underwing (Ruppell's have an obvious pale bar) and noting how they hold their wings are important features. I do sympathise as it took me a long time to get the species, but when I saw one there was something very distinctive about it and all those previous 'possibles' became the Griffons that they truly were!
I don't think the fact that the bird was alone is unduely significant. Whilst vultures tend to be pretty social, they often forage individually. If this bird was out and about looking for food, rather than making a serious attempt to cross the straits, then I see no reason why it shouldn't be alone.
Howver, I fear that you will need more detail on this bird to convince any rarities committee. Ruppell's averages smaller than Griffon (although there is overlap) so the description of it as 'huge' (if you mean by that that it was larger than Griffons) is not helpful. It's proportions are also similar to Griffon's so the 'broad wings' and 'small tail' only suggest it was a vulture nothing more. The ID seems to hinge on the 'grey' wings which suggests that if it was a Ruppell's it was an adult (which have pale buffy 'scalloping' on the forewing which, I assume, could be taken as grey). However, in bright light and at difficult angles, particularly when the light is reflected, Griffons can seem to have greyish backs. Hence I don't think this feature is definitive either. Getting a good look at the underwing (Ruppell's have an obvious pale bar) and noting how they hold their wings are important features. I do sympathise as it took me a long time to get the species, but when I saw one there was something very distinctive about it and all those previous 'possibles' became the Griffons that they truly were!
Acrocephalus
Well-known member
Thanks John for your comments. By “huge, broad-winged bird and small tail” combined, I only excluded Eagles and Egyptian Vultures. I was only asking if I saw the “true bird” for my self, as I do not send any doubtful records to the Moroccan committee (MRBC). Unfortunately I didn’t see the underwing, as I was in a small hill and the bird was in the valley. Probably I have to wait to another time, maybe the end of May or next autumn.
John Cantelo
Well-known member
Good luck! It took me a few years to get one myself, but when I finally saw one there was no doubt,
Javier Elorriaga
New member
You should not discard the posibility of a Black Vulture. There are several observation every autumn and spring of Black vulture crossing the Starit towards and back from Africa.
Regards,
Javi Elorriaga
Motmot
Eduardo Amengual
Javi is a well known expert on vultures and on migration through the Strait, welcome to BF buddy!
Good point. Black (Cinereous) Vulture and some Rüppell's could look pretty similar if only seen from above and distant:
http://www.andalucianguides.com/images/Ruppells-Vulture-02-1008160.jpg
http://www.fotonatura.org/galerias/general/258582/
Cheers,
Eduardo
Good point. Black (Cinereous) Vulture and some Rüppell's could look pretty similar if only seen from above and distant:
http://www.andalucianguides.com/images/Ruppells-Vulture-02-1008160.jpg
http://www.fotonatura.org/galerias/general/258582/
Cheers,
Eduardo
John Cantelo
Well-known member
I hesitate to disagree with an expert on the subject, but, in the case of this particular individual, doesn't the description of the bird being "grey" and black above suggest a degree of contrast in the plumage which a Black Vulture would not normally exhibit? On the more general point, that is whether Black Vulture can be entirely excluded as a possiblity when encountering a "Gyps-like" in Morocco, I'm sure Javi is correct,
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