Page 93 - It Can't Be True! Animals! - Unbelievable Facts About Amazing Animals (DK)
P. 93
STRENGTH AND SPEED 93
In 1973, a Rüppell’s vulture flying
over its African homeland collided FAST FACTS
with a passenger jet. Collisions like
this are rare and the vulture usually Some birds can reach incredible
flies at a lower altitude. This bird heights, making the world’s
may have reached this great tallest landmarks look tiny.
height when gliding on
thermal winds.
Rüppell’s vulture
11,280 m (37,000 ft)
Boeing 737
10,668 m (35,000 ft)
Common crane
10,058 m (33,000 ft)
Mount Everest (tallest mountain)
8,848 m (29,029 ft)
Bar-headed goose
8,534 m
The Rüppell’s vulture (28,000 ft)
can reach a top speed
of 35 km/h (22 mph)
and flies for up to
seven hours a day.
Vulture altitude
11,280 m (37,000 ft)
Average skydive
PROTECTIVE POSE up to 4,000 m
(13,000 ft)
Although the Rüppell’s
vulture is a high-flyer,
it swoops down to the
ground to scavenge
carrion. To protect its
food the vulture adopts
an aggressive stance
by lifting its wings
and standing tall. Burj Khalifa
(tallest building)
830 m (2,723 ft)
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