Photograpgs of King Vultures and the many birds on the Arizona desert and other parts of the state

Lappet-Face Vultures

birdfotos.com

THERE ARE MANY VERY LARGE PHOTOS ON THIS SCREEN,
PLEASE WAIT FOR THEM TO LOAD YOU WON'T BE SORRY

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While scoping out the Savanna at the local zoo I spotted some very-very large birds perched on a pile of rocks way off in the distance.

So, digging out my very looooooong lens I decided to take a few photos.

While focusing my camera I was surprised to see that they were
VULTURES
and strange looking ones at that.

Some were dark brown and some were black with what look like white spots.

After viewing this image I see there are no large brown vultures here.

Distance from the camera on all of the photos about 200 yards.

We'll look at the dark brown vultures first.
Inasmuch as there were no plaques telling what they were I had to ask several zoo keepers and they told me they were;

Lappet-Face Vultures

To learn more click here http://www.vultures.homestead.com/LappetFaced.html

I had to look up the word Lappet.
It said to fold and or to lay over.
If you take a good look at their face you can see that the skin does lay in folds to an extent.

Size: 40 to 45 inches long, with a wingspan of 9 feet.
The Lappet-faced is one of the largest vultures, and it powerful enough to fend off a jackal!

The lappet-faced vulture is found in southern Africa, up the eastern coast,
and in the dry northern regions of the continent.
These vultures can range long distances from their nesting site, in search of food.

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