140. Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)

Egyptian Vultures are classified as Endangered by the IUCN due to severe declines, with multiple causes, in their populations around the world. In Europe it is found around the Mediterranean, mostly in Spain; it also occurs in parts of the Middle East and north Africa. It breeds in these areas but winters in sub-Saharan Africa.It is a medium-sized vulture with distinctive white plumage and black flight feathers, a wedge-shaped tail and narrow bill. When soaring it holds its wings fairly flat and when gliding they are more arched, as in the photo. The juvenile is dark brown with paler feather tips which wear over time making the plumage more uniformly brown.

Egyptian Vulture, ©quelea1945, via Flickr Creative Commons.

Egyptian Vulture painting.

I'm persevering with trying to depict birds in flight, this one's better than some of my efforts, I'm still having problems judging the size though as I keep going off the edges of the paper!