The American Black Vulture
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.
Is it lunch time yet?
Description
The Black Vulture is a large bird measuring between 20 and 26 inches in length and has a wingspan of close to 5 feet. Its plumage is a glossy black, but its head is gray and featherless. Its legs are grayish-white and it has 2 long front toes. As with most vultures, the Black Vulture's feet are weak and its talons blunt. Awkward on the ground, it is more likely to hop than try to walk. Range and Habitat
The Black Vulture is frequently seen in the warmer parts of the western hemisphere, it is rarely seen in the mountains and deserts. They occur in large numbers around towns and cities in tropical and subtropical areas, where garbage is readily available.They prefer open areas interspersed with stands of trees or brush. They can also be found in moist lowland forests, grasslands, wetlands, and swamps.
American Black Vulture
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Black Vulture
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Black Vulture
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The Black Vulture will often defecate on its own legs, using evaporation of the water in the feces to cool itself.
Mating and Nesting Habits
The American Black Vulture's breeding season varies depending on the latitude at which they live. Black Vultures residing in the southern regions will start breeding as early as January but in the northern areas they rarely start before March.Pairs are formed following a courtship ritual. Several males will circle a female with their wings spread, strutting about and bobbing their heads. When the courtship ritual takes to the air, they will dive and chase each other over nest sites.
American Black Vultures do not build nests. The eggs are simply laid on the ground in a wooded area or cavity. A clutch usually consists of 1 to 3 grayish-green oval eggs. Both parents take a turn at incubating the eggs. After 28 to 41 days, the eggs hatch and the hatchlings emerge. They are covered with white down and remain in the nest for another two months while both parents continue to provide them with a delectable diet of regurgitated food.
Vultures and other Birds of Prey
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Raptors of North America: Natural History and Conservation
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Unlike the Turkey Vulture, the Black Vulture will forage in groups using numbers to drive the competition away from a carcass.
Diet
The American Black Vulture is a scavenger and feed on carrion (the remains of dead animals), but it will also eat eggs or kill newborn animals. In populated areas it will also feed at garbage dumps and dumpsters. The Black Vulture has keen eyesight but usually finds its meal by smell. A carcass that has been dead for a few days is more likely to catch its attention than a fresh kill. 
In captivity the Black Vulture can live up to thirty years but rarely lives beyond 5 years in the wild.
Flight
The American Black Vulture soars high while searching for food. It flaps its wings in short bursts followed by short periods of gliding. Voice
The Black Vulture is largely silent due to the fact that it does not have a syrinx, a vocal organ. When annoyed it will hiss, but you have to be close to hear it. The Black Vulture
Elizabeth's Websites
- South Carolina Birder
- An information blog on wild birds, birdwatching, and creating a backyard bird sanctuary.
- Elizabeth Jean Allen, Author Page
- Elizabeth Jean Allen grew up in rural Minnesota, but has spent most of her adult life on the shores of South Carolina. She currently resides in Charleston, SC with her husband Chris and their two sons, Charles and Gregory. She spends the bulk of the year teaching high school science, and spends what little free time she has, reading, writing, and studying the birds.
Audubon Birds
Other Popular Birds of Prey by Lizzy
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Great Grey Owl
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Great Grey Owl is one of the most reclusive owls in North America. Add to that its secretive habits and you have a bird that is rarely seen and little known.
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Bald Eagle
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The Bald Eagle is the only eagle unique to North America. Over the last few years the population of Bald Eagles has made a comeback. It was removed from the Federal List of Endangered Species on June 28, 2007.
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Golden Eagle
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The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. They prefer the open country rather than forests and can be spotted in desert grasslands, and above the timberline.
Have you seen any interesting birds lately?
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dignan62
Very informative. I didn't know that they are silent birds. Posted June 23, 2008 |
Popular Bird Blogs
Resources
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology
Seattle Audubon Society
Carolina Raptor Center
Western North Carolina Nature Center
