Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppelli)

Release of Cinereous, Griffon and Rüppell’s vultures at Jbel Moussa after wing-tagging

21 August 2018 / Birds of Morocco

Rüppell's Vulture / Vautour de Rüppell (Gyps rueppelli): 'M1', Jbel Moussa region, 17 Aug. 2018 (Rachid El Khamlichi).

Wing-tagging and release of Cinereous, Griffon and Rüppell’s vultures at Jbel Moussa on 17 August 2018. This operation was organised by the Moroccan Forestry Administration (HCEFLCD) in collaboration with a number of national institutions and NGOs. Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus): This bird was found at Khmis Anjra, located some 30 Km south of the Strait …

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Migration of rare vultures at Jbel Moussa, spring 2018

5 August 2018 / Bird Migration

Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppelli), east of Tanger-Med Port, Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco, 2 May 2018 (R. El Khamlichi).

At the Strait of Gibraltar, some birds are still migrating northward as late as August or even September in some extreme cases (see one of these under the Rüppell’s Vulture text here). However, the northward migration, for all intents and purposes, is over by the end of July (see for example, Garcia & Bensusan 2006). …

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Wing-tagging a Rüppell’s Vulture at Jbel Moussa, Morocco

19 November 2016 / Birds of Morocco

Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) wing-tagged and released at Jbel Moussa, northern Morocco (Sept 2016).

Marquage d’un Vautour de Rüppell dans le cadre du programme de marquage des vautours par des marques alaires au Maroc (voir au-dessous de la vidéo). Over five thousands Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) migrate through northern Morocco twice a year, and an increasing number of Rüppell’s Vultures (Gyps rueppelli) are also migrating through the region (a paradox, …

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Spring vulture migration at Jbel Moussa, May 2016

9 May 2016 / Bird Migration

Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus) at Jbel Moussa, northern Morocco, 7 May 2016. Two present near a carrion and one perching in a tree.

A summary of raptor migration observations during three days in May 2016 at Jbel Moussa (with emphasis on vultures): 2 May: A Rüppell’s Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) was photographed with a flock of 32 Griffon Vultures (G. fulvus) by Rachid El Khamlichi (photo 1). This is the second bird for spring 2016, the first one observed …

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Barbary macaques and vultures at Jbel Moussa, Morocco

30 May 2015 / Mammals

Barbary macaque enjoying wild fruits and watching the photographer, Jbel Moussa, Morocco

Jbel Moussa is known as a good point for observing bird migration crossing the Strait of Gibraltar between Africa and Europe. But it’s also known for its colony of the endangered Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus). The macaques inhabit the inaccessible parts of Jbel Moussa, but can easily be observed from the western and southern sides …

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First White-backed Vulture for Morocco and North Africa

25 May 2014 / Birding News, Birds of Morocco

White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) and Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) on the right, Tétouan, northern Morocco, 25 May 2014

A mega Western Palearctic rarity! Yesterday, we reported the observation of 3 Rüppell’s Vultures at a carcass near Tétouan, northern Morocco. Today, we went back to the site and to our great pleasure we found a White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) with the other birds that roosted locally the previous night. At our arrival at the …

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Rüppell’s Vultures at Tétouan, northern Morocco

24 May 2014 / Birding News, Birds of Morocco

Rüppell’s Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) with a Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), Tétouan, northern Morocco, 24 May 2014

It seems like these Rüppell’s Vultures are following our footsteps. This time, we didn’t even go to see them. They literally crossed our path! Early morning today, we went to Smir wetland for our usual birding and also to survey the local heronry to see the progression of the breeding season of the Eurasian Spoonbill …

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7 Rüppell’s Vultures in northern Morocco in 2 days

12 May 2014 / Birding News, Birds of Morocco

After the observation of 3 Rüppell’s Vultures (Gyps rueppellii) at Jbel Bouhachem in the afternoon of 10 May. Next day (11 May) we went to Jbel Moussa on the Strait of Gibraltar to observe bird migration with the hope of seeing the Rüppell’s again (we literally wanted to intercept them at the Strait, because we …

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3 Rüppell’s Vultures at Jbel Bouhachem, northern Morocco

11 May 2014 / Birding News, Birds of Morocco

3 different Rüppell’s Vultures observed at Jbel Bouhachem, northern Morocco

Three different Rüppell’s Vultures observed at Jbel Bouhachem, northern Morocco. This is a real unexpected bonus as the site is a bit inland from the Strait of Gibraltar where the vultures normally gather. Just a few days ago, we talked about watching the spectacle of bird migration at Jbel Moussa on the Strait of Gibraltar. …

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Rüppell’s Vulture exhibited for tourists at Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakech

6 January 2014 / Birds of Morocco

A Rüppell’s Vulture used as a photo props at Jemaa el-Fna square in Marrakech for nearly a year. The Rüppell’s Vulture is undergoing a rapide decline across most of its breeding range in sub-Saharan Africa. Recently, it has been upgraded to the Endangered status in the IUCN Red List (previously was listed as Near Threatened). Since …

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