So, to give the context I was driving to a city 2 hours away from my home and the shortest path is through mountains.

I was surprised by the snow but, apparently I was not the only one. From afar I saw this big geese-like bird jumping on the road but realized when it tried to take off that it looked much bigger.

As I got closer I realized that it was probably a Vulture. The closest match I could find is the griffon Vulture, there is some in the area.

It did not look hurt, it was trying to fly but could not take off.

  • krigo666@lemmy.worldEnglish
    19·
    6 days ago

    They need warm air updrafts to fly, vultures and condors are too heavy to keep flapping the wings, they will tire easily.

    Also they depend on flying for spotting dead animals on the ground to feed, the poor beast might starve in these conditions.

    You should warn nature services of this sighting, they might be able to help.

    • espentan@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      6 days ago

      I feel bad for the “little fella”. With wings heavy with snow he doesn’t stand a chance, does he…

      • BastingChemina@slrpnk.netOPEnglish
        7·
        6 days ago

        I hope he found a spot to wait for the day and I think he should be fine. The conditions are dramatically better today and were much better last week as well.

        Today is full sun and the temperatures are above 15°C.

  • bonjour@feddit.orgEnglish
    1·
    4 days ago

    Very cool, and nice to see rousset in the snow too. Hope the bird is OK. And yeah I think they’re all griffon vultures around there. Love the vultures.

  • pseudo@jlai.luEnglish
    4·
    6 days ago

    Waaah (*_*) Je ne savais même pas qu’il y avait des vautours en France…

    • bonjour@feddit.orgEnglish
      2·
      4 days ago

      Saw a flock of thirty around col de la cayolle, was so nice. Quite some vultures in france!

      • pseudo@jlai.luEnglish
        2·
        4 days ago

        Yes, I check Wikipédia and actually it seems that there is no vultures in my side of France.