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        HKBWS BBS 香 港 觀 鳥 會 新 聞 組
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        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Bird Identification 鳥類辨識 >>  Eurasian vs Himalayan Griffon Vulture
        
(Message started by: HF_Cheung on Jul 19^th, 2006, 9:20pm)

Title: Eurasian vs Himalayan Griffon Vulture
Post by HF_Cheung on Jul 19^th, 2006, 9:20pm

Eurasian Griffon Vulture has been recorded in China in Xinjiang. In a trip to Southern Tibet last year, these photos were taken on 26 Dec 2005. The possibility of Eurasian Griffon Vulture is raised.
http://www.geocities.com/aphfcheung/IMG_8052.jpg
Photo on the left is the original, on the right, the brightness is adjusted to review more details.
http://www.geocities.com/aphfcheung/IMG_8065.jpg
The on on the left is probably the same bird, the one on the right appears to be another bird.
http://www.geocities.com/aphfcheung/IMG_8077.jpg
Two more individuals.

Huimalayan Griffon Vulture is a common species on the Tibetan Plateau. Compare to Eurasian Griffon Vulture, juvenile of Himalayan is darker, but adult Himalayan is lighter. That causes problem in separating the juvenile / immature Himalayan Griffon Vulture to juvenile /immature and adult Eurasian Griffion Vulture.

From the book "Bird of the Indian Subcontinent" by Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp and Tim Inskipp, Eurasian Griffon Vulture breed in Napal, and winter in the lower plain in winter. Eurasian and Himalayan Griffon Vulture can occur at the same altitude.

I have checked the Oriental Bird Club and China Ornithological Society photo gallery, there seem to be confusions in the photo too.

I hope birdwatchers with good experiences in the two species can comment on the ID of these photos. Thank you.

HF Cheung