A Eurasian Black Vulture buzzed off

Andean Condor Santiago, the Turkey Vultures, Eurasian Griffon Vultures, Himalayan Griffon Vultures and Rueppell's Griffons are not the only vultures living in the ornithological station "Greifvogelstation Hellenthal". There is also Eurasian Black Vulture "Whiskey".

In contrast to the other vultures inside their enclosures Whiskey was sitting outside, next to the flight show area. His neighbours were nonstop screaming Lesser Spotted Eagles...

When the first flight show started there was not enough wind and no thermals for the 10 kg vulture. But to get more attention he spread his wings and people started taking pictures of him instead of the small flying falcoons.

A wonderful, exceedingly modest looking guy!

At my request he did not hesitate shaking his plumage just to make it possible taking this picture for Katja ;o)

For the second flight show the wind freshened and a keeper brought Whiskey to the flight show area.

One time powerfully flapping his wings...

... and he raised himself into the air!

What a giant bird in the sky!!! In contrast to the Eurasian Black Vultures the falcoons and bussards looked like tiny Sparrows!

One moment Whiskey was circling over our heads and the next moment he was gone!!! We were waiting half an hour or even longer, waiting for him to come back. But he buzzed off! Maybe he found a tasty fresh carrion on the road?
When the third flight show of the day started we thought Whiskey would come back when seeing his friends flying in the sky, but he didn't. With an uneasy feeling we wanted to say goodbye to the vultures inside the big enclosure. On our way we were talking to a keeper, who told us Whiskey likes to buzz off during the flight shows. Sometimes he comes home few days later, most of the time he is just sitting on top of the vultures' living community enclosure, making fun of his vulture-friends by throwing little branches inside ;o) And there he was!!!

Thank God he's safe!!!

Relaxed sitting on top of the enclosure with a strong and majestic smile - no fences frustrating him!!!

But there's one question left: During the flight show we got the information that Whiskey is 63 years old. In zoos vultures can get very old indeed, but at the age of 63 Whiskey would be as old as Methuselah and not able to take part in flight shows anymore!? Was it just a blooper? Or is it a living miracle?