On Holiday in Loire Valley last week saw five birds that I think were vultures.
Appeared to be about the size of a grey heron in flight but with greater wingspan.
White / pale chest and belly, same on underwings near body but black / dark rest of wing and tips, splayed wingtip feathers.
Shortish neck (for a vulture?) could have been drawn in towards shoulders, top of head white / pale. Deep "fattish" beak.
Back and upper wings dark / black.
Behaviour: seen only in the evening (every evening) soaring and flying above river only, not over land. Occasionally nearly hoverring but not quite, before swooping towards river but unfortunately never saw any of these birds touch water! or rocks!
some appeared to be a bit larger than others, could've been distance though, always seen individually except one pair flying straight along the river.
Would love to know what these birds were, vultures or not, so please help.....Thanks
pushbike
Appeared to be about the size of a grey heron in flight but with greater wingspan.
White / pale chest and belly, same on underwings near body but black / dark rest of wing and tips, splayed wingtip feathers.
Shortish neck (for a vulture?) could have been drawn in towards shoulders, top of head white / pale. Deep "fattish" beak.
Back and upper wings dark / black.
Behaviour: seen only in the evening (every evening) soaring and flying above river only, not over land. Occasionally nearly hoverring but not quite, before swooping towards river but unfortunately never saw any of these birds touch water! or rocks!
some appeared to be a bit larger than others, could've been distance though, always seen individually except one pair flying straight along the river.
Would love to know what these birds were, vultures or not, so please help.....Thanks
pushbike