Lappet-faced Vulture photographed in Spain
Rare African species photographed in Andalucía in what could be the first confirmed modern record for Spain
Mega rarity reported in southern Spain
French ornithological website Ornithomedia has reported the remarkable observation of a Lappet-faced Vulture in southern Spain - an exceptionally rare event in a European context. The bird was seen and photographed on 18 October 2025 in the Torcal de Antequera Natural Area, in Málaga province.
The individual was later lost from view as it moved towards the Serranía de Ronda, leaving behind a brief but highly significant record that has attracted considerable interest among birders and researchers.
Potentially the first modern record for Spain
According to the report, this sighting could represent the first confirmed occurrence of the species in Spain in modern times. Historical references suggest that one or two birds may have been seen in the Pyrenees as long ago as 1940, but no widely accepted records have followed since then.
If accepted by the Spanish rarities committee, the observation would mark a notable addition to the country’s avifauna and underline the increasing pattern of African vagrants reaching southern Europe.
An immature bird on the move
Photographs taken during the observation allowed the bird to be identified as a second-calendar-year individual.
The Lappet-faced Vulture is typically a largely sedentary species across its core range in Africa and parts of the Middle East. However, immatures are known to wander more widely, sometimes travelling far beyond their usual range.
A growing pattern of African vagrants
The Iberian Peninsula has seen a small but increasing number of records of African vultures in recent years. These include previous sightings of African White-backed Vulture and Hooded Vulture, both of which are considered exceptional rarities in Europe.
While such occurrences remain extremely rare, they are being recorded more frequently than in the past, raising questions about changing movement patterns, population pressures, or improved observer coverage.
March 2026
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