Details about the second record of White-backed Vulture in Morocco emerged recently – a bird of this sub-Saharan vulture species was observed on 5, 6 and 8 July 2017 at Jbel Moussa, in the north of the country. The bird (see photo of single bird) was flying in the area with 4 Rüppell’s Vultures (Gyps rueppelli) and Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) – in the photo above you can see the white-backed vulture with 3 griffons.
This is the second record for Morocco and the 7th or 8th for the Western Palearctic. The first for Morocco and North Africa was observed near Tétouan in May 2014 and was also with Rüppell’s (3 birds) and Griffon Vultures.
Several thousand griffon vultures – mostly young and immatures winter in the west of Africa, and in their movements back to Europe often bring with them Rüppell’s vultures and, increasingly, also white-backed Vulture. Both these species have also been seen in Europe (Portugal-Spain-France), with Rüppell’s vultures being regular now.
Photos via MaghrebOrnitho
