Among the wonders of the animal kingdom, the Rüppell’s griffon vulture (Gyps rueppelli) stands out as one of the most impressive. This robust and silent scavenger bird holds the record for the highest recorded flight: in 1973, a specimen collided with a commercial airplane at over 11,000 meters altitude over Ivory Coast, a height comparable to that of Mount Everest and surpassing even the usual flight limits of many aircraft.
The discovery of bird remains in the aircraft engine confirmed what science already suspected: this vulture is capable of flying at extreme heights, making it a unique case among birds. This ability is not a coincidence. Scientific research revealed that its hemoglobin evolved to efficiently capture oxygen, a key adaptation to survive in low oxygen concentration areas.
The Rüppell’s vulture not only flies high, but also far. Thanks to its impressive wingspan, which reaches almost three meters, and its ability to take advantage of thermal currents, it can stay in the air without rest for over seven hours, covering great distances without the need to flap its wings. This flight strategy allows it to efficiently scan large expanses of land in search of carrion, its main food source.
Although it is usually silent, it can make sounds in moments of tension, such as when defending prey or in nesting areas. Its appearance, with grayish-brown plumage, a distinctive white collar, and a nearly featherless head, is perfectly adapted to its diet and habits.
A Symbol in Danger
Despite its extraordinary abilities, the Rüppell’s griffon vulture is endangered. Its population has drastically decreased in recent decades, affected by habitat loss and, above all, by the intentional poisoning of carcasses by poachers. These criminals seek to prevent vultures from revealing the presence of dead animals, and thus, their illegal activities.
Currently, this emblematic bird mainly inhabits countries like Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. Under ideal conditions, it can live between 40 and 50 years, although in the wild, its lifespan is shorter due to constant environmental and human pressures.
A Call for Conservation
The Rüppell’s griffon vulture is much more than a scavenger bird: it is an essential component of the African ecosystem, helping control diseases by consuming remains of dead animals. Its majestic flight and unique physiological adaptations are a testament to the extraordinary diversity of life on Earth.
Conserving this species is also preserving the environmental health of vast regions of Africa. Its story, as close to the sky as to extinction, reminds us of the urgency to protect not only exceptional species, but also the ecosystems they depend on.
A Unique Bird
The Rüppell’s vulture (Gyps rueppelli) is a large vulture native to Africa, known for being the bird that flies the highest, with recorded flights at over 11,300 meters. It is characterized by its:
- Size and weight: It is a large vulture, with a body length of 85 to 103 cm and a wingspan of 2.26 to 2.6 meters, weighing between 6.4 and 9 kg.
- Plumage: The plumage is brown with white spots, especially on the body and wings of adults. Young birds have darker plumage.
- Head: The head is relatively small compared to the body, and lacks feathers, with white fuzz on the head and neck.
- Beak and eyes: The beak is powerful and curved, and the eyes are pale.
- High-altitude adaptation: This vulture has physiological adaptations that allow it to fly at high altitudes, including a greater ability to extract oxygen at high elevations.
- Behavior: They are gregarious birds that breed in colonies, usually on rocky cliffs. They feed on carrion, even from animals that may be poisoned with anthrax, botulism, or cholera.
- Flight: They are excellent fliers, capable of flying at great heights and covering long distances in search of food.
- Distribution: They are found in the Sahel region and East Africa.
Source: La República Perú.
