GENERAL INFORMATION

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.

DESCRIPTION

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.

HABITS AND HABITATS

The black vulture may be found throughout North Carolina but is generally uncommon in the piedmont section and is considered somewhat rare in the mountains of western North Carolina. They are often found in large flocks perching near a possible food source or soaring overhead. The black vulture, like the turkey vulture, is a scavenging bird, feeding on the flesh of various dead animals. They locate their food by a combination of sight and scent. Vultures are often observed along highways where road-killed animals, both wild and domestic, are easily found. They will eat almost any animal carcass, even those that have begun to rot, but black vultures seem to prefer the larger dead animals. This is probably due to their gregarious feeding and flocking behavior. The vulture's bare head is an interesting adaptation which allows them to stick their head within the carcass of a dead animal without fear of soiling feathers and creating conditions for bacterial growth about the face. Black vultures nest in early spring, laying their eggs in tree cavities, on rocky ledges, or in caves. Nesting locations are usually in remote areas and may be far from their feeding grounds.

HISTORY

Vultures have long been perceived as loathsome creatures because of their repulsive feeding habits. We now know however the important role these scavenging birds fulfill by "cleaning up" dead animals from our forests and fields. Both state and federal laws protect vultures. It is illegal to kill, injure, or possess one of these birds. A recent development in the classification of these birds may also change the way that we perceive vultures. For years, the vulture has been classified as a bird of prey along with hawks, owls, and eagles. In 1994, due to DNA analysis and other studies on anatomy, physiology, behavior, and cellular biology, the vulture has been reclassified and placed in the stork family.

MEET OUR BLACK VULTURE

The Nature Center has one black vulture on exhibit in our bird of prey habitat. Our black vulture came to us in 1987 from the Carolina Raptor Center in Charlotte, NC. It was found sifting on the ground in some woods near Charlotte as an orphaned baby and was raised in captivity. It became "imprinted" on people and really doesn't know that it is a vulture! Because of this, our black vulture is unable to survive in the wild. It shares its habitat with a turkey vulture, another unreleaseable bird that has a permanent wing injury. Our vultures are fed a diet of raw meat, especially formulated for captive birds of prey.

INFORMATION LINKS

Birder.com
National Audubon Society

This article may be reproduced for classroom use by students and educators but may not be reprinted otherwise without written consent from the Nature Center.
©2002 WNC Nature Center