Vulture
(King)
(Cacatuagalerita)
Photographed at, Reid Zoo, Tucson, AZ Mar 2010
Animal Kingdom, Orlando, FL Mar 2011
King vultures are most closely related to condors. Although listed as common, king vultures are declining in numbers, primarily due to habitat loss.
The reason for the coloured head skin is unknown, as both sexes look alike. The head and neck of a king vulture totally lacks any feathers. This helps to prevent bacteria and remains of the carcass from "fowling" up the feathers on the head. After eating, the vulture will relax in the sun and allow the heat to bake off the bacteria.
King vultures spend much of each day
soaring on thermals looking for food, which is detected by watching the actions
of other vultures and possibly by smell. The king vulture has one of the most
powerful beaks of all American vultures and can open a carcass that other
vultures cannot. For this reason, they often eat first and other vultures feed
off the remains.
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