Guest contribution: Vultures of Zoo Berlin

One week ago my sis visited the vultures of the Zoo Berlin. To get to the vultures as soon as possible she asked the ticket saleswoman for the way to the vulture-enclosure. The saleswomans seemed to be very surprisend and my sis thought she would not even know what vultures are. But suddenly the woman answered my sis's question with another question: "Which species of vultures would you like to see first?" Haha, great answer! And a good question, 'cause there are so many different species of vultures living in Berlin. Enjoy:

Cute, young Andean Condor:

Andean Condor daddy:

Bearded Vulture:

Eurasian Griffon Vulture "Fritz":

Another Eurasian Griffon Vulture:

Special Guest White-necked Raven:

Hooded Vulture:

King Vulture:

Palm-nut Vulture:

Egyptian Vulture:

White-headed Vulture:

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!!!