Vultures

Yellow ring with black 3 alpha-numeric code 3F5.

note 1 : one individual of this species *of sub-Sahara distribution* that appreared exhausted in the Algeciras harbour (Cádiz, S. Spain) has been ringed and released 12/10/2006.

The vulture was ringed by the Colectivo Ornitológico Cigüeña Negra (COCN),
after recovering the bird during several weeks in the Castellar Zoological
Park, where it was deposited by the Customs Department. Ringing of this
species would be 4th in Spain. This news can be viewed in the COCN website
(in Spanish): http://cocn.tarifainfo.com/equipoanillamiento/ruppell.html
This young individual of Rüppell's Vulture was released 6 October 2006 in
the ornithological observatory of "El Algarrobo", in the town Algeciras
(Cádiz, S Spain). The bird had been deposited officially in the Castellar
Zoological Park by the Customs Organism of the Algeciras Harbour (Ministry
of Economy and Property), after appearing in its harbor with exhaustion
symptoms (after to have possibly crossed the Strait of Gibraltar). In this
Zoo this Vulture has received veterinary care and, at the moment of the
release, it presented/displayed good physical state. "El Algarrobo" was
chosen like place of release due to its proximity to the Algeciras Harbour
and because in its proximities exist a Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) roost,
being able this last one to cause a temporary establishment in the zone of
the released bird and, thus, to favor sightings on the part of the numerous
ornithologists who frequent the observatory of "El Algarrobo" at this time
of postnuptial migration. The released vulture (due to the dumb that
presented/displayed its plumage) is a 2nd year bird born in 2005. Before its
release it was ringed on the right tarsus with an official metallic ring
and with yellow PVC ring on the left tarsus with the following black
inscription: 3 F 5. In addition, blood was extracted to determine sex.
Finally, three primary feathers of the right wing was bleached to facilitate
their recognition in flight.