Rüppell’s Vultures, aka Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture, Gyps rueppelli, are large vultures found in the Sahel region of Africa as well as East Africa. Their numbers have been decreasing and although previously reasonably common, they are now listed as ‘critically endangered’, due to habitat loss and other human-generated threats, both direct and indirect.
Ruppell’s Vultures are increasingly being seen, albeit in small numbers, and there are hopes that it might breed in the next few years. Some have already tried to breed, but unfortunately with Griffon Vultures, Gyps fulvus, so unsuccessful. Let’s hope that a pair of Ruppell’s vultures meet in Spain and set up home together.
It is believed to be the world’s highest-flying bird, having been recorded at 11,300 m.
On 29th November 1973, a Rüppell’s Vulture collided with a commerical aircraft at 37,000 feet over Abijan, Ivory Coast, West Africa. The altitude is that recorded by the pilot shortly after the impact, which damaged one of the aircraft’s engines and caused it to be shut down.
The Wilson Bulletin, December 1974
Although I have seen this species in the wild in Africa, this close-up photo was taken at a falconry centre.
This photo is copyright © Liz Leyden, all rights reserved.
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