The Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) is a scavenger bird native to the Americas, playing a crucial role in maintaining a clean and healthy ecosystem. You can find these fascinating birds in our Birds of the Americas exhibit. Let’s learn more about their diet, habitat, size, and conservation status, as well as some interesting facts that make the Black Vulture stand out.
Diet
Black Vultures, like other vultures, are scavengers, primarily feeding on carrion (dead animals). They are opportunistic feeders and will consume a wide variety of carcasses, from small mammals and birds to larger animals like deer. They play a vital role in cleaning up the environment by consuming carcasses that might otherwise spread disease.
Habitat
Black Vultures inhabit a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and wetlands. They can be found from the southeastern United States to Central and South America. These birds are social creatures and are often seen roosting in large groups, typically in trees or on man-made structures like buildings and bridges.
Size and Weight
Black Vultures are medium-sized birds, with a wingspan of about 4.9 to 5.6 feet (1.5 to 1.7 meters). Their body length typically ranges from 22 to 27 inches (56 to 69 cm), and they weigh between 4 to 6 pounds (1.8 to 2.7 kg). Both males and females are similar in size and appearance.
Wingspan
Black Vultures have wingspans of 4.3 to 5.6 feet (1.3 to 1.7 meters), which aids their soaring capabilities. They utilize thermals—rising columns of warm air—which enable them to glide efficiently to higher vantage points while searching for food.
Range
The Black Vulture’s range extends from the southeastern United States through Mexico, Central America, and into South America, reaching as far south as Uruguay. In recent years, Black Vultures have expanded northward, now inhabiting areas previously dominated by Turkey Vultures.
Nesting
Black Vultures do not construct traditional nests. Instead, they lay their eggs in protected locations such as hollow trees, caves, thickets, on the ground under cover, or in abandoned buildings. They lay 2 eggs that both parents take turns incubating over approximately 38 days. After hatching, vulture chicks remain in the nest area for about 90 days and may continue to forage in social groups with their parents even once they become independent.
Black Vulture Sounds
Black vultures lack a syrinx, the vocal organ of birds. Therefore, they are generally silent. As such, they communicate through a myriad of sounds. When agitated or feeding, Black Vultures make raspy grunts and drawn-out hissing sounds that can sound like hungry pigs or dogs barking in the distance, respectively. Similarly, fledglings make low hisses or cough out in their quest for food.
While at the nest, these raptors are known to coo like pigeons. During breeding seasons, courting vultures have been heard exhaling loudly, accompanying their aerial displays with yapping sounds that signify their intent to mate
Black Vulture vs Turkey Vulture
While both species are scavengers, they exhibit distinct differences:
- Appearance: Black Vultures have black plumage with a gray-black, featherless head, whereas Turkey Vultures display dark brown feathers and a red, featherless head.
- Wings: Black Vultures have prominent white patches underneath the tips of their wings which are visible in flight, while Turkey Vultures have a two-toned appearance with lighter flight feathers.
- Flight Behavior: Due to their shorter tails and thick wings, Black Vultures have a quicker, more deliberate wingbeat and often soar with wings held flat and angled forward. Turkey Vultures on the other hand, exhibit a teetering flight with wings tipped side by side in a slight V-shape.
- Sense of Smell: Unlike Turkey Vultures which drift with an impeccable sense of smell that allows them to sniff for carcasses, Black Vultures have weakly developed olfactory senses. For this they rely partly on Turkey Vultures to find carrion, often trailing them where they descend in less open areas.
Conservation Status
The Black Vulture is currently listed as “Least Concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Their population is considered stable, and they are widespread throughout their range. However, they may face some local threats, such as habitat loss, poisoning, or persecution due to their scavenging habits.
Interesting Facts
Strong Sense of Smell:
Unlike their relative, the Turkey Vulture, Black Vultures have a weak sense of smell. They rely more on their keen eyesight to locate food, often following Turkey Vultures to find carcasses.
Bald Head:
Black Vultures have a bald head, which is an adaptation for hygiene. The lack of feathers on their head helps keep them clean as they feed on carcasses, reducing the risk of bacterial infections.
Family Life:
Black Vultures form strong family bonds and are known to roost together in large groups. They have a monogamous mating system, with pairs staying together for many years. Both parents share incubation duties and care for their young.
Soaring Skills:
Black Vultures are known for their impressive soaring abilities. They utilize thermals, which are columns of warm, rising air, to help them stay aloft with minimal energy expenditure. This allows them to search for food over vast areas efficiently.
Intimidation Tactics:
Black Vultures are known to intimidate other vultures and scavengers by working together in groups to drive them away from a carcass, giving them access to more food.
Visit the Black Vulture at the Abilene Zoo
Be sure to stop by our Birds of the Americas exhibit during your visit to the Abilene Zoo to observe the captivating Black Vulture. These birds play a critical role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem, and by learning more about their habits and adaptations, you’ll gain a newfound appreciation for these often misunderstood creatures.
FAQ
Are black vultures dangerous?
Black vultures do not pose a significant threat to people. However, they’re aggressive and have been recorded preying on livestock.
Do black vultures attack live animals?​
Yes. Black vultures are predatory scavengers that can attack and kill live animals, especially calves, lambs, piglets, and other sickly and weak animals. They attack by stabbing the soft tissues of these animals with their beaks, causing serious injuries and even death.
Are black vultures protected?
Yes. Black vultures are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which prohibits capturing, killing, selling, trading, or transporting migratory bird species without authorization by the Department of Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
