Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

A world without vultures would be a world in big ecological trouble. The people of India and Pakistan are finding this out the hard way following the recent precipitous declines in their most common vulture species. Fortunately, in North America we have vulture species that are currently quite healthy and numerous. The NA species are being actively monitored and researched to help ensure that their current status is sustained. One of the two vulture species seen commonly throughout much of the United States and Central America is the Black vulture. They are often seen along roadways where they congregate around the carcasses of animals killed by vehicles. Their diet consists almost entirely of carrion although they have been reported as killing sick or weakened calves. They are also seen in large groups at roost sites where they congregate with Turkey vultures. In flight, the Black vulture can be identified by its short tail, silvery-white wing tips and rather awkward, rapid flapping that looks as if the bird is struggling to keep from falling out of the sky.

Black vultures “2081” and “2082” arrived at the ICBP medical clinic as small, white, fluffy hatchlings whose parents had been killed by dogs. As birds that nest on the ground, Black vultures are particularly susceptible to predation during nesting. Despite the strict protocols employed by the clinical staff to avoid the mal-imprinting of young birds on humans by utilizing camouflage, puppets for feeding and minimizing all human contact, the young pair of birds refused to remain wild. To avoid them being harmed, the pair was recaptured and has since altered the sometimes negative perception of vultures for thousands through educational presentations and flying demonstrations.