Middle one looks like a Lammergeier to me.
Surely the tail is much too short for that?Middle one looks like a Lammergeier to me.
Surely the tail is much too short for that?
Thanks guys I have some other pictures not at the same time but of a group of birds ain a valley near the mountain base. Maybe these might help.I will send them tonight. Are we all agreed on the other two
100% Griffon Vulture for me, from head to tail, nothing wrong in shape, a far from typical Lammergeier jizz.
Not necessarily in the Pyrenees; all four vultures in that region form mixed flocks at / close to feeding stations.a group of birds (vultures) surely are griffons in the pyrenees.
Not necessarily in the Pyrenees; all four vultures in that region form mixed flocks at / close to feeding stations.
I stand by my original assertion, but I will add that on balance, it is surely more likely that somebody would encounter Griffon vulture than Lammergeier at almost any site in Europe given their respective populations (580-790 V's 32,400 - 34,400). That's not to say that it is completely out of the question for any person (irrespective of their abilities and/or experience) to photograph a rarity in place of something more mundane, but perhaps it is best to err on the side of caution. I've no idea with the OP's skill set (though a quick search reveals they required confirmation for a sum-plum Spot-shank - not meant in a critical manner, just observational), but without info on behaviour in the field, it is surely likely to be the commoner option.
Are you sure? I never seen a Monk V in the Pyrenees, and I do not remember more than 2-3 Lammegeier at any one location. That does not mean that mixed flocks do not occur, but that the majority of birds in a large flock (if not all) are going to be Griffon.
Niels
Yep - went to one of the feeding stations last spring, had about 300+ Griffons, among which also 6 Black Vultures (derived from reintroduction scheme, but including 2nd generation wild-bred birds), 7-8 Lammergeier, and 3-4 Egyptian :t:Are you sure? I never seen a Monk V in the Pyrenees, and I do not remember more than 2-3 Lammegeier at any one location. That does not mean that mixed flocks do not occur, but that the majority of birds in a large flock (if not all) are going to be Griffon.
Niels
I am definitely no expert.
It's just I thought maybe just maybe the "masked" face of the Lammergeier can be seen on the photo in question. If anyone has thoughts on this it would be appreciated
Please see blow up of the face of this bird photo.