Its local knickname of "The Flying Plank of Wood" describes it as well as anything. Markedly larger than the Griffon Vultures, (with whom it often soars), Eurasian Black Vulture's numbers seem to be increasing though they still remain extremely rare. However, even when soaring at altitude, this species stands out from its only close contemporary by having very obvious white legs and talons.
These birds would be more common in Portugal if the Government would refrain from following an EU directive aimed at curbing Mad Cow disease. Spain no longer follows this directive and what vultures there are in the Iberian peninsula increasingly stay in that country, where dead cattle are left in the fields rather than being immediately buried or incinreated as is the case in Portugal. There is a full description of this problem here with maps showing in great clarity the results of the two governments differing implementation of the directive.
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