An Egyptian Vulture <i>Neophron percnopterus</i> with largely pale bill in Djibouti

An observation the Indian subspecies of Egyptian Vulture <i>Neophron percnopterus ginginianus</i> in Djibouti

“…Apart from our observations at the abattoir, which was visited by dozens of vultures every day, we regularly saw single and groups of Egyptian Vultures as we travelled around the country. Mostly those sightings were near human settlements surrounded by rugged terrain, and agree with Londei's (2018) assertion that Egyptian Vultures are rather common in Djibouti, especially in areas of good nesting habitat (cliffs) near human settlements. Almost all observations of Egyptian Vultures away from the abattoir were too distant to see bill colour clearly.…”

“…Almost all observations of Egyptian Vultures away from the abattoir were too distant to see bill colour clearly. This is not the first record of an Egyptian Vulture with a pale bill in the Horn of Africa, a similar (apparently different) individual was recorded in Tadjoura in December 2017 (Londei 2018), and another individual was seen in Ethiopia in 2010 (Angelov et al 2013). Additionally, a palebilled individual was observed on Socotra (Porter & Suleiman 2012), though those authors considered that bird to be of the nominate race with abnormal pigmentation of the beak and claws.…”

“…Published descriptions of beak colour in ginginianus vary, but suggest it to be homogeneous (e.g. del Hoyo et al 1994, Naoroji 2006, Porter & Suleiman 2012, Angelov et al 2013, Londei 2018. However, the descriptions and photographs of the birds observed by Angelov et al (2013) and Londei (2018) are of heterogeneous beak colouration, a condition suggested by Ferguson-Lees & Christie (2001) to exist amongst some ginginanus birds.…”

“…Observations of vagrants and rarities are of interest to many bird enthusiasts. Angelov et al (2013), however, downplayed their observation's curiosity value, and initiated a discussion about Egyptian Vulture ranging behaviour, dispersal and movement ecology, which was then picked up by Mundy (2014), and Londei (2018). Angelov et al (2013) concluded that the bird they observed was N. p. ginginiaus, and Mundy (2014) agreed and considered the same was the case for the bird seen by Porter & Suleiman (2012).…”

“…In discussing that hypothesis, Londei (2018) further postulated that birds of mixed parentage might exhibit bill colour similar to ginginianus, and a willingness to migrate (as is seen in a portion of the percnopterus population). Angelov et al (2013) and Mundy (2014) implicitly or explicitly further recognize the possibility that emigrants might settle and breed with local resident individuals, and so don't argue against Londei's (2018) hypothesis of hybridization, at least locally. The beak of the bird we observed was homogeneously cream-coloured with a slight pinkish wash (Figures 1).…”