Rüppell’s Vulture

Identification

Rüppell's vulture is a very large vulture, noticeably outsizing the closely related white-backed vulture. Adults measure 85 to 103 cm in length with a wingspan of 2.26 to 2.6 m and weigh between 6.4 and 9 kg. Both sexes are identical in appearance: mottled brown or black overall with a whitish-brown underbelly and thin, dirty-white fluff covering the head and neck. A distinctive white collar marks the base of the neck, while the eye is yellow or amber and the crop patch is deep brown. The head lacks feathers—an adaptation that prevents excessive mess when feeding inside carcasses.

Silent as a rule, these vultures become vocal at their nest and when gathered at a carcass, where they squeal considerably. They are powerful and specialized feeders, with backward-pointing spikes on the tongue to help remove meat from bone, allowing them to exploit even the hide and bones of a carcass after softer parts are consumed.

Range & Habitat

Rüppell's vulture is mainly native to the Sahel region and East Africa, where it is a resident species. In Morocco, tagged populations have been observed overwintering. Since 1992, the species has been occurring as a vagrant in Spain and Portugal, with annual records since 1997, mainly in the Cádiz and Strait of Gibraltar area and occasionally further north.

Behaviour & Diet

Rüppell's vultures are strictly carrion feeders known to follow game herds on seasonal migrations and feed in large numbers at carcasses, usually alongside other Old World vulture species. They will consume animals killed by predators as well as those that have died from injuries, disease, or old age. Cruising at 35 km/h, these birds fly for 6–7 hours daily and can reach speeds up to 45 km/h during cross-country flight and 70–85 km/h during glides. They commonly fly at altitudes as high as 6,000 m and possess a specialized hemoglobin variant that allows efficient oxygen absorption despite the low partial pressure of the upper troposphere.

Rüppell's vultures are monogamous, forming lifelong breeding pairs that work together to build stick-and-grass nests on cliff faces. In key breeding areas, they nest in large colonies containing hundreds of pairs. Both parents incubate their single egg for 55 days and tend the chick for about 150 days until fledging. Young remain dependent on their parents until the next breeding season, learning to find and compete for food during this period.

Best Time & Places to See It

The Sahel region and East Africa remain the primary strongholds for observing this species. In Morocco, where Rüppell's vultures are resident, they can be seen year-round. Those seeking to encounter vagrants in Europe may have opportunities in Spain and Portugal, particularly in the Cádiz and Strait of Gibraltar area, with sightings most likely from 1997 onward.

Photography Tips

The sheer size and impressive wingspan of Rüppell's vulture make it a rewarding photographic subject. Its distinctive white collar, pale head, and mottled plumage provide good identifying features in the frame. Watch for them soaring at high altitudes in thermal updrafts, where they can be spotted against the sky. Carcass sites where multiple vultures gather offer opportunities to capture their behavior and compare them with other vulture species. Early morning thermals are often optimal for capturing birds in flight.