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Egyptian Vulture


Egyptian Vulture
Photo Information
Copyright: Ali Alieslam (greyowl) Silver Note Writer [C: 1 W: 0 N: 15] (101)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF-S 55-250
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/2000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-02-02 5:45
Viewed: 660
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)- Juvenile

From the 5 vulture species in Iran, Egyptian Vultures have the smallest body and most adaptability with different climate and different menues.During the winter thousands of them migrate to the Persian Gulf islands for wintering.
The adult plumage is white, with some black feathers in the wings and tail. Due to its habits—stalking around carcasses on usually dusty ground to wait for its turn—the plumage dulls quickly, and birds before moult are beige rather than pure white. Also, individuals occasionally seem to "paint" themselves with soil containing iron oxide, as Lammergeiers do, turning their plumage a pinkish buff; hence the German name Schmutzgeier ("dirt-vulture"). Its facial skin is yellow, turning orange during nesting periods, and is devoid of feathers. The tail is diamond-shaped, so it is easily distinguished in flight.
The nestlings are dark brown and gradually become light until they reach adulthood at the age of five.
Most well known for its evolved abiltity to eat eggs, the Egyptian vulture's diet also includes both carrion and overripe vegetable matter. When feeding with crows and small raptors, this vulture is dominant. They must wait, however, for other larger vultures to finish their meal at a carcass, before entering the scene. Once the carcass is abandined, the birds fly in and pick the small bits of remaining meat from the bones with their delicate beaks.
Among other favored foods are decaying fruits and vegetables, often salvaged from human garbage dumps, and small insects, which the bird can catch alive. Without a sense of smell, the Egyptian vultures rely on their keen eyesight to find all food. Their vision is twice as refined as that of a human, allowing them to see an object 4 to 8 centimeters in diameter from as high as 1000 meters.

Hope you enjoy it!!
gabisandu, robindb has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Ali,
Great image with wonderful details and natural colors, very sharp also.
Best whishes,
Gabi

Hi Ali,

Nice and sharp. A very interesting perch as well.

TFS

Robin

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 647 W: 15 N: 1589] (6203)
  • [2009-02-02 6:37]

Hi Ali
Nice capture with good details and natural colors.
Regards
Razvan

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 7 N: 1110] (5404)
  • [2009-02-02 9:24]

hi ali,
Amazing picture of this beautiful bird, with a fantastic perch. nice compo
TFS

very nice capture, great wood and vulture, TFS Ori

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