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The world's 23 vulture species, including turkey vultures, black vultures and California condors (which are endangered) here in the U.S., have sharp vision to help them spot carrion from high above.
Some extinct predatory telluravian birds had talons similar to those of modern birds of prey, including mousebird relatives (Sandcoleidae), [6] and Messelasturidae indicating possible common descent. Some Enantiornithes also had such talons, [7] indicating possible convergent evolution, as enanthiornithines weren't even modern birds.
Andean condor talons. The adult plumage is all black, except for a frill of white feathers at the base of the neck and, especially in the male, large white bands on the wings, which only appear after the bird's first moult. [23] The head and neck, kept meticulously clean, are red to blackish-red, and have few feathers. [24]
A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion.There are 23 extant species of vulture (including condors). [2] Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to North and South America and consist of seven identified species, all belonging to the Cathartidae family.
Vultures are misunderstood birds that have gotten an unfair reputation. What It Means When You See A Vulture: 4 Things You Probably Didn't Know Skip to main content
This bird did not differ much from the black vulture of today except in size; it was some 10–15% larger and had a relatively flatter and wider bill. [21] It filled a similar ecological niche as the living form but fed on larger animals, [22] and was previously thought to have evolved into it by decreasing in size during the last ice age.
A series of photos taken recently show a cinereous vulture attacking a Himalayan vulture in flight for unknown reasons, although the target was not seriously injured. [29] Cinereous vultures frequently bully and dominate steppe eagles (Aquila nipalensis) when the two species are attracted to the same prey and carrion while wintering in Asia. [30]
The Cape vulture (Gyps coprotheres), also known as Cape griffon and Kolbe's vulture, is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to southern Africa, and lives mainly in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and in some parts of northern Namibia. It nests on cliffs and lays one egg per year.