American Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)

The American Black Vulture is common from the southern USA, through Central America and throughout most of South America. It is a large bird, that can weigh up to about 2 kilos and has a wingspan of up to 1.5 meters. It is a dull black with a bare, grey head with folds of skin and a warty look. The bare head is an adaptation to its life as a scavenger and it will feed off any size of animal carcass as well as dead fish, etc..
With excellent vision but no sense of smell, it relies on the Turkey Vulture to find carcasses in forested habitats but it is dominant over Turkey Vultures when feeding especially since the American Black Vulture usually congregates in large groups.
Apart from carrion, American Black Vultures also feed on eggs, young birds, fish and insects.
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