BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="John Cantelo" data-source="post: 1808418" data-attributes="member: 2844">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!</blockquote>

Verification