Observe and photograph a species in its natural habitat
Learn where and when to observe a species in the wild, how to recognize it in the field, and what habitats it lives in. Get photography tips adapted to its behavior and capture stunning images without disturbing the animal. For full details, open the complete profile in the WildlifePhotographer app.
Rüppell's vulture
Scientific name: Gyps rueppelli
IUCN Status: Endangered
Family: ACCIPITRIDAE
Group: Birds
Shyness: Very shy
Safe distance: 50 m
Breeding season / Courtship: 15.03-31.05;01.12-31.01
Gestation: 55 jours
Births: 150 jours
Habitat:
Rocky cliffs, savannahs and open plains
Description:
The Rüppell's vulture is a large carrion-feeding raptor, 85–95 cm tall with a wingspan of 230–265 cm, featuring dark brown plumage and a pale bare head. It inhabits mountain cliffs and savannas of East and Central Africa, feeding mainly on large mammal carcasses. During breeding, it nests in dense colonies on cliff ledges, and pairs sometimes perform group display flights above their nests.
Recommended lens:
>=400 mm
Photography tips:
Position yourself at sunrise or sunset below cliff nests, anticipate their takeoff and shoot from a slight low angle to isolate the plumage against the sky, using a fast shutter speed and shallow depth of field.
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