A bird believed to be a giant African vulture has been spotted in the skies over mid Wales.

Julian Salmon captured the bird on film after it landed on a barn roof at Hoddell Farm, Kinnerton, near Presteigne.

Mr Salmon, the regional director for the Country Landowners Association, checked the bird's description on the internet and said he believes it is a Griffon Vulture.

The bird - which has brown plummage and a distinct white head - is normally found around the Mediterranean.

Mr Salmon said that a similar bird was tracked crossing the English Channel in May and was later seen in Staffordshire.

Does not migrate

He has assured farmers that the vulture will not attack live animals as it only feeds on carrion.

Weighing about 15lbs, the Griffon Vulture has an eight-foot wing span and goose-like neck.

Although native to Africa and the Mediterranean, it has been spotted as far north as Scandinavia, but the birds do not migrate and normally stay with a lifelong mate.

The Griffon Vulture - which can live for up to 40 years - prefers barren areas with few trees, mountain steppes and high plateaus.