National Vulture Awareness Day 2009: 5 September

American Black Vulture

Common Names: Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

 © David Cree

3 sub-species of the American Black Vulture has been recognised namely: C. a. atratus, C. a. brasiliensis and C. a. foetens.
The American Black Vulture is a large bird (altough relatively small for a vulture) with glossy black plumage, a featherless, wrinkled grey head and neck and a hooked beak.
Length: 65cm
Wingspan: 1.5m
Weight: 2-2.75kg
Distribution: The Black Vulture may be found for the south eastern United States of America to Central Chilie and Uruguay in South America.

Map by Hey jude, don't let me down under the Public Domain License.

Habitat: They inhabit open areas with scattered forests or shrublands.
Food: Their diet consists of carrion, eggs or new born animals.
Breeding: The breeding of the vultures in United States starts in January while those in South America begin in September. During courtship, several Males strut around a a female with their wings partially open while bobbing their heads. After the courtship ritual, pairs are formed.
Nest: They do not build nests but place their eggs in caves, hollow trees or on the bare ground.
Eggs: 2 eggs are laid by the Female.
Incubation: The incubation period lasts for 28-41 days and both sexes incubate the eggs.
Nestlings: Two chicks are usually raised and fed by regurgitating. They are covered in white down when they hatch. After 2 months, they fledge from the nest.
Interesting Facts:
# This vulture belongs to the New World vulture family.
# The American Black Vulture has a similar name and appearance to the unrelated Eurasian Black Vulture which belongs to the Old World vulture family.
# It has a keen eyesight which is used for finding food.
# They will often defecate on their legs as a cooling method.
# This vulture does not have a vocal organ thus uses grunts and low hisses for vocalization.
# They are legally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
# American Black Vultures appear in the Mayan codices and are connected to death.

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