Vultures
Vultures, also known as buzzards, are scavenging birds which feed on the
remains of dead animals. Two species of vultures are found in North
Carolina, the Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, and the Black Vulture,
Coragyps atratus. The black vulture is more common in eastern North
Carolina while the turkey vulture is more common in the mountains and
the Piedmont.The black vulture is a large black bird with a wingspan of 4
1/2 to 5 feet. It has a rather short tail and can be easily identified
in flight by the presence of a conspicuous white patch underneath each
wing tip. It differs in appearance from the turkey vulture primarily by
it slightly smaller size, the white wing patches, and the very
noticeable bare head which is black in coloration, in stark contrast to
the red head of the turkey vulture. Young turkey vultures have a black
head and may be confused with adult black vultures. The black vulture
has rather weak feet with blunt talons. The beak is long and hooked, an
adaptation for tearing flesh. In flight, the black vulture flaps its
wings more frequently and rapidly than the turkey vulture. The black
vulture also holds its wings out straighter, rather than in a shallow
"V" like the turkey vulture.
» Length: 64 cm (26 inches)
» Wingspan: 54 inches
» Coloration: Black feathers, feet and face, with a grey beak and brown eyes.
» Diet: Carrion, occasionally taking small animals, eggs and down fruit.
» Physical Discription: A typical vulture, with featherless head, large strong feet with toe nails not talons, and a strong hooked beak for tearing flesh.
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