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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.
The turkey vulture received its common name from the resemblance of the adult's bald red head and dark plumage to that of the male wild turkey, while the name "vulture" is derived from the Latin word vulturus, meaning "tearer", and is a reference to its feeding habits. [9]
Vultures primarily feed on dead animals, known as carrion. Most New World vultures are obligate scavengers, meaning they feed exclusively on animals that are already deceased. Their presence plays an important role in the ecosystem by facilitating the efficient removal of carcasses. When young, vultures of the order Cathartiformes rely on their ...
Vultures are misunderstood birds that have gotten an unfair reputation.
The black vulture is a scavenger and feeds on carrion, but will also eat eggs, small reptiles, or small newborn animals (livestock such as cattle, or deer, rodents, rabbits, etc.), albeit very rarely. They will also opportunistically prey on extremely weakened, sick, elderly, or otherwise vulnerable animals.
[citation needed] Vultures, in particular, have faced incredible persecution and threats by humans. Before its ban by regional governments in 2006, the veterinary drug Diclofenac has resulted in at least a 95% decline of Gyps vultures in Asia. Habitat loss and food shortage have contributed to the decline of vulture species in West Africa due ...
Fun Facts About Vultures and How They Eat. Vultures, despite their somewhat bad rep as being harbingers of death, play a big role in ecosystems as nature's clean-up crew. They help control disease ...
A bearded vulture flying over Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy Bearded vulture on the rocks in Gran Paradiso National Park. The bearded vulture is a scavenger, feeding mostly on the remains of dead animals. Its diet comprises mammals (93%), birds (6%) and reptiles (1%), with medium-sized ungulates forming a large part of the diet. [35]