Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Lacking a syrinx (vocal organ), they cannot sing; they can only produce raspy hisses or low grunts.
- Scientific name
- Coragyps atratus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Cathartiformes › Cathartidae › Coragyps
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open landscapes including grasslands, pastures, and suburban areas near forest edges.
- Diet
- Primarily carrion; occasionally eggs or small live animals.
- Range
- North America, Central America, South America
- Size
- Wingspan: 1.3–1.5 meters; Weight: 1.6–2.2 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-25 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Lead poisoning from ammunition in carrion, vehicle strikes, and secondary poisoning from pesticides.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans but defensive. Maintain a distance of at least 15 feet. If cornered or stressed, they may projectile vomit highly acidic stomach contents as a deterrent; wash skin immediately with soap and water if contact occurs.
The black vulture ( Coragyps atratus ), also known as the American black vulture , is a bird in the New World vulture family whose range extends from the southeastern United States to Peru, Central Chile and Uruguay in South America. Although a common and widespread species, it has a somewhat more restricted distribution than its compatriot, the turkey vulture, which breeds well into Canada and south to Tierra del Fuego. It is the only extant member of the
Photo: Cricket Raspet, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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