Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)

This black vulture was rescued when it was seen for several days wandering through peoples back yards all by itself.  It wasn't flying but it sure could run.  After a day of chasing after him, some of the neighbors finally caught him and he was taken to The WildARC. This was a young bird that had been separated from its parents.  We fattened him up for about ten days and then released him at a site where hunter's deer carcasses were deposited on private property and there were plenty of other vultures around.  This guy thought he had reached heaven!

Black vultures are smaller than their cousins the turkey vulture and are all black, with white patches near the tips of the wings.  Their legs are white or gray and heads are grayish and bare.  This guy looked a lot like a poodle! They may be smaller than the turkey vulture but much more aggressive and actually will drive the turkey vulture from a carcass.  They hunt by sight as they fly the thermals or updrafts where the turkey vulture depends more on its sense of smell.

Home About WildARC From The WildARC  Stats  Wild Profiles!  Links  Education  Support  Shopping  Seasonal Information  Find A Rehabber