American Black Vulture

The Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, also known as the American Black Vulture, is a bird in the New World vulture family whose range extends from the southeastern United States to Central Chile and Uruguay in South America. Although a common and widespread species, it has a somewhat more restricted distribution than its compatriot, the Turkey Vulture, which breeds well into Canada and south to Tierra del Fuego. Despite the similar name and appearance, this species is unrelated to the Eurasian Black Vulture. The latter species is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae , whereas the American species is a New World vulture. It is the only extant member of the genus Coragyps, which is in the family Cathartidae. It inhabits relatively open areas which provide scattered forests or shrublands. With a wingspan of 1.5 m the Black Vulture is a large bird though relatively small for a vulture. It has black plumage, a featherless, grayish-black head and neck, and a short, hooked beak.

The American Black Vulture is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

* American Black Vulture videos on the Internet Bird Collection * American Black Vulture photo gallery from VIREO * American Black Vulture video footage * Photography showing the skeletal structure of the American Black Vulture v • d • e New World vultures (family: Cathartidae) Genus Species Coragyps American Black Vulture Cathartes Turkey More

American Black Vultures on a cow carcass All living species of New World vultures and condors are scavengers. Though their diet is overwhelmingly composed of carrion, some species, such as the American Black Vulture, have been recorded as killing live prey. Other additions to the diet include fruit, eggs, and garbage. An unusual characteristic of the species in genus Cathartes is a highly developed sense of smell, which they use to find carrion. More

Images American black vulture sunbathing with spread wings American black vulture sunbathing with spread wings Species related by - * Family group * Habitat * Conservation status * * View image slideshow * Link to this image * Email to a friend * More

American black vulture perched on cactus© Tom Vezo / naturepl.com American black vulture standing in shallow water© Lynn M. Stone / naturepl.com Courting pair of American black vultures© Stan Osolinski / www.osfimages.com American black vulture in flight© Keith & Liz Laidler / www.ardea.com American black vultures soaring© Jose B. Ruiz / naturepl.com American black vulture feeding on racoon© Peter Weimann / Biosphoto American black vultures feeding on racoon© G. More

The American Black Vulture tends to have a more southerly distribution than its compatriot, the Turkey Vulture, which breeds well into Canada. American Black VulturesThese vultures are found in open regions in the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America and South America. They are usually permanent residents. Description: he American Black Vulture is a very large bird of prey, measuring 65 centimeters (25.5 in) in length, with a 1. More

The American Black Vulture lives from the southeastern United States to South America. It has a restricted distribution than the Turkey Vulture, which breeds all the way into Canada and south to Tierra del Fuego. Despite the similar name and appearance, this species is unrelated to the Eurasian Black Vulture. Black Vultures inhabit relatively open areas which provide scattered forests or shrublands. The American Black Vulture is a scavenger and feeds on carrion. More

The American Black Vulture, as well as the King Vulture, have the weakest sense of smell of the New World Vultures and rely of more on vision like their “Old World” counterparts. Black Vultures flap their wings frequently while soaring. No New World Vulture possesses a syrinx (vocal organ), so they instead make a series of soft hisses and barks. Black Vultures rarely travel alone; flocks of Black Vultures can quickly take over a carcass and drive the more solitary, but larger Turkey Vultures away. More

The Black Vulture or American Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) is a bird whose range extends from the southeastern United States to South America. It reaches a length of 28 inches, a weight of 5 pounds, with a wing span of 5 1/2 feet. It has a somewhat more restricted distribution than its compatriot, the Turkey Vulture which breeds well into Canada and south to Tierra del Fuego. Despite the similar name and appearance, this species is unrelated to the Eurasian Black Vulture. More

An American Black Vulture at Flamingo, Florida Scientific classification Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Chordata Class:Aves Order:Accipitriformes Family:Cathartidae Genus:Coragyps Species:atratus Binomial name Coragyps atratus (Bechstein, 1793) A common New World vulture, the American Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, tends to have a more southerly distribution than its compatriot, the Turkey Vulture, which breeds well into Canada. These birds are found in open regions in the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America and South America. More

The American Black Vulture is one of seven species in the New World Vulture family Cathartidae. Other species include the turkey vulture, the greater yellow-headed vulture, the lesser yellow-headed vulture, the king vulture, the California condor and the Andean condor. The black vulture stands 22 inches tall and has a wingspan of 54 inches. It has a short and squared tail, long thick grey legs and a hooked dark bill. More

American Black Vulture ( Coragyps atratus ) has a body length of about 26 inches, weighs about 5 pounds and a wingspan of about 5 feet, with featherless head, black feathers, large strong feet with toe nails, and a strong hooked beak for tearing flesh. Other common names include Carrion Crow and sometimes called a Black Buzzard. The black vulture is a social bird and gathers in great flocks and they roost by the hundreds. They find food and carcass by vision. More

The American Black Vulture is a scavenger, feeding off the remains of dead domestic and wild animals. Dependent on its sense of smell to locate the carcasses, a fresh kill will not always attract its attention. If the carcass has been left in the open for a day or more, the Black Vulture will be there. More

The American Black Vulture is a scavenger and feeds on carrion, but will also eat eggs or kill newborn animals. In areas populated by humans, it also feeds at garbage dumps. It finds its meals either by using its keen eyesight or by following other (New World) vultures, which possess a keen sense of smell. Lacking a syrinx—the vocal organ of birds—its only vocalizations are grunts or low hisses. More

Common Names: Black Vulture, American Black Vulture, or Carrion Crow. (Sometimes incorrectly called the Black Buzzard. 'Buzzards' are more properly broad-winged hawks). Black Vulture Photograph Courtesy of R.D. Scheer Copyright More