Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)

Order: Cathartiformes | Family: Cathartidae  | IUCN Status: Least Concern

black-vulture
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Villa Marshes, Lima

black-vulture
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown |Loc. Tingo Maria, Peru

black-vulture
Age: Juvenile | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Southern Ecuador

black-vulture
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Puerto Maldonado, Peru

Identification & Behavior: ~62.5 cm (24.4 in). The Black Vulture is uniform black with broad wings and short broad tail. In flight, the wings are black with only the outermost primary flight feathers gray. The head is small and has a tightly folded black skin. The legs are pale. In flight, the Black Vulture can be distinguished from other black-plumaged vultures by broad and shorter wings, which are held flat and slightly forward. Adults and juveniles are similar in plumage. Feed on carrion and it often associates with other vultures.

Status: The Black Vulture is widespread and common in the Amazonian lowlands and in western Peru. Absent in the southern coastal lowlands south of Ica. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, Ch.

Name in Spanish: Gallinazo de Cabeza Negra.

Sub-species: Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (Bechstein, 1793).

Meaning of Name: Coragyps: Gr. Korax= crow; and gyps= vulture, buzzard; atratus: L. atratus= dressed in black, black.  A vulture or buzzard of black color.

See more of the Family Cathartidae  peru aves

Distribution Map
Black VultureVoice:
Generally silent.

References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 11/09/2014.