Rare Egyptian vulture spotted in Paphos, Cyprus

On September 22, 2026, the Cyprus Department of Forests reported the sighting of a rare Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), locally known as the Asproparis. The bird was captured on camera at a feeding unit managed by the Department of Forests in Agios Ioannis, Paphos. The footage was recorded by department employee and naturalist Georgios Papetrou.

The Egyptian vulture is recognized as the smallest and most endangered vulture species in Europe. As a migratory bird, it travels annually from Europe to Africa for the winter. The Department of Forests stated that the bird utilizes Cyprus as a vital stopover point for refueling and rest during its long-distance flight. Authorities have described the appearance of the vulture as a significant and hopeful event for the island's biodiversity, highlighting the country's importance within the bird's migratory path.