This photographic update and comparison on the recent “New Thunderbird Photos” posting shows a possible species that may or may not explain the Indian example.

You be the judge.

Regarding the “Thunderbird” photograph (above) taken in Kerala, India, French cryptozoology student Fabrice Tortey suggests that although “size evaluation in the sky without point of reference is rather tricky, I think the birds are probably black kites (Milvus migrans govinda). The shape of the tail is characteristic.” See two photos of this species below.

I’m not certain how much can be seen of the tail from the distance demonstrated by this photograph, but the straight top (anterior) edge of the wings does not seem to indicate the pointed characteristics of the typical black kite’s wings. It does seem like the straighter “barn door” profile of the vultures.

What do you see?