"History repeats itself for the second time"
In the vast expanse of Yakutia, a region known for its harsh winters and remote landscapes, an unusual visitor has made an appearance. A black vulture, a bird not typically found in this part of the world, has been observed by local ornithologists.
This sighting marks the second recorded case of a black vulture in the republic, the first having been reported in 2007 in the village of Kapteni, Ust-Aldan Ulus. The bird, most likely an adult solitary individual, was spotted near the village of Partizansk in the Namsky District.
Black vultures prefer open habitats such as open country, pastures, grasslands, wetlands, and tend to avoid mountainous areas. They are mostly resident or short-distance migratory, not long-distance migrants, and their occasional appearance far north or outside usual range, such as in Yakutia, would be considered unusual and likely due to dispersal or irregular migration rather than a regular migratory route.
The black vulture, with its large, prominent eyes indicative of keen eyesight, is a typical scavenger and does not hunt live prey. During migrations, these birds can fly beyond their breeding range and appear in foothills, plains, and steppe zones. They have been known to cover several hundred kilometers in a day, using thermal updrafts to soar high above the ground.
The observation of this rare visitor is being continued by Yakutian ornithologists. It's possible that the bird found in Yakutia during migration, a testament to the bird's remarkable ability to traverse vast distances.
While the black vulture is not red-listed globally, population declines may have been noted regionally, the species itself is not endangered. In Russia, the black vulture breeds in Tuva, Altai, and the Kyryinsky District of the Zabaykalsky Krai.
This sighting in Yakutia underscores the importance of continued observation and study of these birds, as they navigate their remarkable journeys across the globe.
The black vulture's appearance in Yakutia, a region known for its harsh winters and remote landscapes, raises questions about its migratory patterns and the potential impact on environmental-science studies in this region. This unusual sighting, which is the second recorded case in the republic, could provide valuable insights into the bird's health-and-wellness and adaptability to changing climates, further contributing to the understanding of the science behind the migrations of this species.
