Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
Cathartes burrovianus
The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus) is a uncommon new world vultur found in 20 countries, weighing about 935 g. The lesser yellow-headed vulture, also known as the savannah vulture, is a species of bird in the New World vulture family Cathartidae.
About the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
The lesser yellow-headed vulture, also known as the savannah vulture, is a species of bird in the New World vulture family Cathartidae. It was considered to be the same species as the greater yellow-headed vulture until they were split in 1964. It is found in Mexico, Central America, and South America in seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, swamps, and heavily degraded former forest. It is a large bird, with a wingspan of 150–165 cm (59–65 in). The body plumage is black, and the head and neck, which are featherless, are pale orange with red or blue areas. It lacks a syrinx, so therefore its vocalizations are limited to grunts or low hisses.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This is the lightest and smallest of the extant New World vultures despite sometimes measuring at least as long and longer winged than black vultures. The lesser yellow-headed vulture is 53–66 cm (21–26 in) in length, with a wingspan of 150–165 cm (59–65 in) and a tail length of 19–24 cm (7.5–9.4 in). Its weight ranges from 0.95 to 1.55 kg (2.1 to 3.4 lb). Its plumage is black with a green sheen. The throat and the sides of the head are featherless. The head and neck are bare of feathers, and the skin is yellow, with a reddish forehead and nape and a gray-blue crown.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture?
- This is the lightest and smallest of the extant New World vultures despite sometimes measuring at least as long and longer winged than black vultures. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture?
- The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture is a large sized bird weighing about 935 g.
- Where can you see a Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture?
- The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture occurs in 20 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Belize and Argentina.
- What birds look similar to a Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture?
- The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture is most easily confused with the Greater Yellow-headed Vulture and the Turkey Vulture.
- Is the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture endangered?
- The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture for real
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