Ruppell's Griffon Vulture


Ruppell's Griffon Vulture, also called Ruppell's Vulture, is native to central Africa, from West Africa to East Africa. It is the highest-recorded flying bird, having been sucked into a jet plane engine over the Ivory Coast at over 36,000 feet. A large vulture, it is similar to the (Eurasian) Griffon Vulture but has white edges to most of its body and wing feathers. It also has a dark brown patch at the base of its neck. Close up, its irises are also much lighter than the dark amber brown irises of the Eurasian Griffon.