Vulture (Black)
(Cathartes aura)
Photographed in the wild, Kissimmee, FL Mar 2011
The more southern
of our two common vulture species, the Black Vulture flaps its wings rather
frequently while it soars. It is more social than the Turkey Vulture, often
traveling in large flocks. Their white wing tips and black head separates them
from Turkey vultures which have reddish heads and whiter on the bottom of their
wings.
Like all vultures,
black vultures mainly eat carrion. They do not appear to be very good at
finding their own meals, and they often wait until they see a group of turkey
vultures feeding. One-on-one, a Black Vulture can be dominated by the
slightly larger Turkey Vulture. Black Vultures rarely travel alone and can
quickly take over a carcass and drive the more solitary Turkey Vultures away. They have been to gang up on an Eagle and take their kill away from them. They have also been known to occasionally catch young and helpless birds and
mammals.
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