Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture vs Griffon Vulture and vs African White-backed Vulture

AWBV:

• Short wings, closed hands, very slim body. Roughly 50% smaller than EGV and 30% than RGV.
• Has 12 tail-feathers. Dark greyish tarsus,  blacker than other vultures.
• Short black bill, jet black facial mark.
• Black neck skin.
• Body feathers, especially undertail coverts, intermediate pale streaking lacking any spot at feather-tip.
• Dull greyish greater coverts, lacking any pale markings.
• Upperwing plain, uniform sandy/brown with uniform brownish greater coverts.

 

RGV:

• Relatively short wings, closed hand, slim body. Roughly 30% in weight of EGV, and it generally looks slimmer and less bulky bellied.
• Has 14 tail-feathers.
• Very long billed, flat forehead, bill becomes pale during second  or third plumage.
• Neck skin deep red; blue circular patches. Dark feathers on the neck.
• Broad pale streaking with pale spots at feathers-tip  (anchor in juveniles) in body feathers, especially in undertail coverts.
• Greater coverts black with pale tips, particularly evident in primary coverts; lacking lateral fringe.
• Upperwing scaled with several rows of black pale-tipped feathers (greater and median coverts).

 

EGV:

• Long-winged, square wings, massive body. Looking notoriously heavy and bulky both in flight and perched.
• Has 14 tail-feathers.
• Squared head, bill dark until third or fourth plumage.
• Neck skin blue-greyish; blue circular patches.
• Body feathers, especially undertail coverts, usually uniform although sometimes with a pale streaking.
• Greater and primary coverts from white to an almost black feather, but always entirely pale fringe.
• Upperwing plain, uniform griffon/sandy except dark greater coverts with a visible pale fringe.

 

Abstract from: Rodríguez, G. & Elorriaga, J. 2016. Identification of Rüpell’s Vulture and White-backed Vulture and vagrancy in the WP. Dutch Birding 38.