Feathered Friends - SMaP Contest Round 190 - Gyps Fulvus (4 pics)

3 days ago · 3 min read · Арани

Greetings friends.
Hi, @nelinoeva.
You've given me a wonderful assignment. But the most interesting thing is that now I remembered I should have photos of seagulls attacking me from the sky. But I need to dig deep into the archive to find these photos.
That's why I took photos from my trip to Dagestan. I had prepared them for the show a long time ago, but they were lying and waiting for their turn. Now it's time for them.

This week's theme (ROUND 190)
SHOW ME A PICTURE OF BIRD WINGS.

A little for reference - what is Dagestan?

Dagestan is a republic within the Russian Federation, located in the North Caucasus region of Eurasia, along the Caspian Sea's western shore. Known for its rich cultural diversity, Dagestan is home to multiple ethnic groups and languages, including Avars, Dargins, Lezgins, and Kumyks. The region is famous for its mountainous terrain, traditional crafts, and vibrant cultural heritage, including music, dance, and cuisine. Makhachkala, its capital, is an economic and cultural center in the republic.
Here I saw an eagle soaring in the sky for the first time, but it turned out that it was actually not an eagle, but a Gyps Fulvus (Griffon Vulture). This large bird is iconic for Dagestan. By the way, its wingspan reaches 2 and a half meters.

I was standing on the edge of the Khunzakh Canyon and suddenly this Griffin appeared. He just planned without a single swing and went down. He was under my feet. It was amazing to see a bird that always soars high in the sky flying under my feet.
I was hampered by the sun shining in my face. But I had no choice, I couldn't ask the bird to fly in the right direction.

Who sees the bird? And what do I know about this bird?
The Gyps Fulvus (Trigonoceps occipitalis) is a striking bird of Dagestan.
Recognizable by its distinctive white head and neck, contrasting with dark brown and black body feathers, this vulture has a sharp, hooked beak suited for tearing flesh. Its wingspan can reach up to 2.5 meters, allowing it to soar effortlessly while scanning for carrion, its primary food source. Unlike many vultures, it often feeds alone or in pairs rather than in large groups. The Gyps Fulvus is a relatively rare species and is classified as critically endangered due to habitat loss, poisoning, and human disturbances.

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