They are usually known to prey on the weak and vulnerable and have a fearsome reputation.
But an escaped Egyptian vulture named Manfred, who was last spotted on the loose in Cornwall, is thankfully said to be "harmless".
Manfred escaped from a private breeding centre in Wales and has been soaring over the Westcountry.
Now the public are being asked to keep a lookout to see if they can spot him circling in the skies overhead.
Birds of prey experts in the Westcountry have been called in to help find the vulture, which is listed as an endangered species, after he was spotted in the Lizard earlier this week.
Dave Buncle, a professional falconer who specialises in recapturing birds of prey, is asking for help in tracking the vulture's movements.
The predominantly white-coloured bird has a wingspan of about six to seven feet.
He has been spotted in the St Keverne area, among others. Mr Buncle, who runs Westcountry Falconry at Peter Tavy near Tavistock, said the seven-year-old vulture was "harmless". As a scavenger, the bird posed no danger to livestock. Mr Buncle added: "I am hoping people let me know where they have seen him."
