Dec 21, 2006

Vultureness

Dana sent this photo she took of a cinerous vulture. It's a local at the Denver Zoo. As with too many vulture species, this one is endangered. Some estimates put their wild numbers in Europe at 200 pairs.

This bird could almost pass for pretty, since it grows more head feathers than most of its cousins. Alas, it is not to be. There's no escaping the vultureness. That trumps just about anything.

Thanks for the photo, Dana.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I bet it's thinking "I could go for a rotting carcass right about now."

Raging Wombat said...

That, and, "All they feed me is fresh meat. I hate that!"

Anonymous said...

Yummy...decaying cow

Unknown said...

I must say, that if there was an attractive cousin in the vulture clan this bird would have to be it. You might be slipping Uglyoverlord.

Raging Wombat said...

What, you're saying borderline uglies can't have their day? How dare you!

Anonymous said...

That's adorable! Look at its cute fluffy head and shining eye.

Anonymous said...

Hungry Fella? Uh Alg Ah, That'll hold ya for a while.

Anonymous said...

I think all old world vultures are cute - can't understand why people say they're ugly. Now, the new world vultures, on the other hand, include some real mingers!