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UrbanScrapeHuge · 1.9 kg
ID tip
The black vulture is a fairly large scavenger, measuring 56–74 cm (22–29 in) in length, with a 1.33–1.67 m (52–66 in) wingspan. Weight for black vultures from North America and the Andes ranges from 1.6 to 3 kg (3.5 to 6.6 lb) but in the smaller vultures of the tropical lowlands it is 1.18–1.94 kg (2.6–4.3 lb). Fifty vultures in Texas were found to average 2.15 kg (4.7 lb) while 119 birds in Venezuela were found to average 1.64 kg (3.6 lb). The extended wing bone measures 38.6–45 cm (15.2–17.7 in), the shortish tail measures 16–21 cm (6.3–8.3 in) and the relatively long tarsus measures 7–8.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Black Vulture
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is April, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Black Vulture
The map shades 30 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in India.
About the Black Vulture
The black vulture, also known as the American black vulture, Mexican vulture, zopilote, urubu, or gallinazo, is a bird in the New World vulture family whose range extends from the southeastern United States to Peru, Central Chile and Uruguay in South America, and common throughout Brazil where it can be seen in large scavenging groups. Although a common and widespread species, it has a somewhat more restricted distribution than its compatriot, the turkey vulture, which breeds well into Canada and all the way south to Tierra del Fuego. It is the only extant member of the genus Coragyps, which is in the family Cathartidae.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Lesser Yellow-headed VultureCathartes burrovianusThis is the lightest and smallest of the extant New World vultures despite sometimes measuring at least as long and longer winged than black vultures.
King VultureSarcoramphus papaExcluding the two species of condors, the king vulture is the largest of the New World vultures.
Andean CondorVultur gryphusThe overall length of the Andean condor can range from 100–130 cm (3 ft 3 in – 4 ft 3 in).
Side by side: Black Vulture vs Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture · Black Vulture vs King Vulture · Andean Condor vs Black Vulture
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