139 days old Eurasian Griffon Vulture fledgeling

Nearly one month I didn't visit the cute Eurasian Griffon Vulture girl in the Zoo of Duisburg. That's why I went there today although it's incredible hot outside... close to 40 degrees! Even if it's raining all day there are more visitores in the Zoo of Duisburg then today!!! Very curious...

The vulture girl is doing fine and there is still no date when she will leave Duisburg.

It seemed as if vulture-daddy does not like the heat, cause he was weakly lying in the shadow of a tree.

What an amazing creature, this cute Griffon girl!!!

 

Vulture-mommy was tired, too!

The fledgeling...

The two seperated vultures were lying on the ground and heavily breathing for air.

Back at the great enclosure. Vulture girl infront, vulture-mommy behind.

How does it feel kissing a Marabou's beak!?

The vulture girl's attempts to fly were really impressive! Again and again she jumped on the highest places and tryed to raise herself into the air. I would bet, that taking off from the right position she could easily fly out of the enclose! No wonder, her feathers are growing 0,7 cm per day and people can't cut them all the time.

Crash landing in a bunch of branches.

Don't worry, nobody instead of me saw it.

After drinking some water she dried her beak...

... and jumped to her lunch!

Sun-roasted meat! Carrion go!

Egyptian Vultures & Co in Zurich

After a very interesting conversation with Bearded Vulture expert Daniel Hegglin I went to the Zoo of Zurich, Switzerland, today, visiting the Egyptian Vultures.

As usual they were both just lying in the grass and doing nothing...

Even the fresh and tasty piece of meat was ignored by the vultures.

Listless gnawing at the meat.

More spectacular was the attempt to escape of the Shoebill. When I arrived at the Shoebill's enclosure the visitors path was closed and a laughing crowd of people was standing there. Few minutes later I saw two zoo keepers carrying something big and grey into the building next to the enclosure. When I was following them I saw them standing INSIDE the Shoebill's enclosure... Haha, that's the best proof. I am sure catching a Shoebill isn't easy at all ;o)

Funny Shoebill laughed up his sleeve!

Official exit...

Outdoor and indoor enclosure.

Shame on you ;o)

Balancing act...

Just for once I like to show some more non-vulturous "Special guest" pics here... but these Burrowing Owls are just too cute:

The right guy was grooving nearly ten minutes - turning his head from the left to the right - everyone was fascinated. The left one didn't move a centimeter, that's why the right one was yawning every now and then.

And suddenly the right one turned his head around ;-) Very funny guy!!!