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ForestCavity nestHuge · 3.4 kg
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Excluding the two species of condors, the king vulture is the largest of the New World vultures. Its overall length ranges from 67 to 81 cm (26–32 in) and its wingspan is 1.2 to 2 m (4–7 ft). Its weight ranges from 2.7 to 4.5 kg (6–10 lb). An imposing bird, the adult king vulture has predominantly white plumage, which has a slight rose-yellow tinge to it. In stark contrast, the wing coverts, flight feathers, and tail are dark grey to black, as is the prominent thick neck ruff.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the King Vulture
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is March, the month with the most records.
Where to see the King Vulture
The map shades 19 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
About the King Vulture
The king vulture is a large bird found in Central and South America. It is a member of the New World vulture family Cathartidae. This vulture lives predominantly in tropical lowland forests stretching from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. It is the only surviving member of the genus Sarcoramphus, although fossil members are known.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Andean CondorVultur gryphusThe overall length of the Andean condor can range from 100–130 cm (3 ft 3 in – 4 ft 3 in).
Greater Yellow-headed VultureCathartes melambrotusThe greater yellow-headed vulture is 64–75 centimetres (25–30 in) in length, with a wingspan of 166–178 centimetres (65–70 in), a tail length of 25–29 centimetres (9.8–11.4 in) and a weight averaging 1.65 kilograms (3.6 lb).
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.
Side by side: Black Vulture vs King Vulture · King Vulture vs Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture · Andean Condor vs King Vulture · Greater Yellow-headed Vulture vs King Vulture
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