Hawk Like

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus
Black Vulture thumbnail
Length: 25 in. (64 cm )
The garbage collector of the bird world, the Black Vulture is especially versatile in exploiting human garbage and detritus. It occurs in open savanna, agricultural fields, and garbage dumps where it gathers, often in large numbers, to eat and roost. The nest is in a tree stump or dense vegetation on or near the ground. Often several to many pairs nest close together, and during the winter many family groups roost together in isolated tree groves during the night. Rarely this vulture will capture and eat small birds, mammals and reptiles, but its main food is carrion and human garbage. In the desert southwest, it is most often seen soaring over cliffs and small valleys on thermals as it searches for dead carrion.

The four-digit banding code is BLVU.


Aerial

Agricultural

Cliffs / boulders

Desert

Marsh / swamp
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View Citation

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Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Black Vulture
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: March 7, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/black-vulture

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Black Vulture. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 7, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/black-vulture

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Black Vulture". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/black-vulture

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Black Vulture". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 7 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/black-vulture

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
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