Rare Spanish vulture spotted in northern Denmark

A Spanish cinereous vulture, an extremely rare visitor to Denmark, has been sighted in Skagen, according to a report from DR.

The bird, first observed in Holstebro and later near Herning, was seen flying over Denmark’s northernmost town earlier today. Simon S. Christiansen, head of Skagen Bird Observatory, confirmed the sighting from his own garden.

“It doesn’t get wilder than this. It’s a new raptor species for Denmark, and that happens incredibly rarely—it’s very special,” Christiansen told DR.

The vulture, Europe’s largest bird of prey, is identifiable by a small ring on one leg, indicating it originated from Spain. Christiansen described its size as overwhelming: “It’s enormous. A cinereous vulture can almost feel like a solar eclipse if it’s close.”

The bird has since left Skagen, but Christiansen hopes it may return in the coming days.