The Turkey Vulture Society is a non-profit corporation. Its purpose is to promote scientific studies of the life habits and needs of the Turkey Vulture, to protect the vulture and its habitat, and to inform the public of the valuable and essential services this bird provides to mankind and to the environment. |
BASIC VULTURE BIOLOGY |
WHAT IS A VULTURE? Vultures are large, carrion-eating birds. For years, it was believed that all vultures were raptors, members of the order Falconiformes. In 1994, however, it was discovered that the vultures inhabiting the American continents share a common ancestor with storks and ibises. Now, American vultures, or New World vultures, are recognized as Ciconiiformes, in the family Cathartidae. European, African, and Asian vultures are recognized as Old World vultures (family Accipitridae, subfamily Aegypiinae). There are 15 species of Old World Vultures and 7 Species of New World Vultures. WIERD! HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THIS? Until recently, biologists based the classification of vultures on empirical characteristics. For example, all vultures have a unique diet (carrion). As an adaptation for this messy diet, the head and neck of vultures from both families are mostly bare except for a thin covering of down. In addition to DNA evidence, which is the primary defender of this new classification, there are a number of recognizable differences as well. For example, the Old World vultures have relatively strong feet, like the clutching talons of their raptorial ancestors. New World vultures have weak, chickenlike feet, which are suitable for running on the ground. These vultures cannot lift or carry food with their feet. They can only step on their food to hold it in place while eating. Similarly, the New World vultures have weaker, thinner beaks, unlike the strong beaks of their Old World counterparts. WHAT IS A BUZZARD? Buzzard is the correct term for a family of hawks. (ie the European buzzard, Buteo buteo, closely related to the American red tailed hawk). In America, the term is often employed incorrectly to describe vultures. This probably dates back to the arrival of the first English colonists. There are no vultures of any type in England, so these pioneers probably gave the common term "buzzard" to all the soaring figures above the New World. NEW WORLD VULTURES The New World vultures are distributed in North, Central, and South America. They include the Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura; Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus; California Condor, Gymnogyps californianus; Andean Condor, Vultur gryphus; King Vulture; and the Greater and Lesser Yellow-Headed Vultures. The Turkey Vulture is common in the United States. Its keen sense of smell is vital for finding carrion. Black Vultures, a more southern species, lack the graceful flight pattern of the Turkey Vulture and depend more on keen eyesight than sense of smell. The California Condor, along with the Andean Condor, is one of the world's largest flying birds. Because of many years of persecution, the California Condor is in danger of extinction; an estimated 40 to 60 birds exist today. OLD WORLD VULTURES Old World vultures inhabit the warmer parts of Europe, all of Africa, and the drier parts of Asia. They are most common in mountainous or open country and are seldom found in forests or in areas with high rainfall. All are carrion eaters except for the Palm Nut Vulture, Gyphohierax angolensis, which feeds principally on the fruit of the oil palm. The Egyptian Vulture, Neophron percnopterus, may be the most common vulture in the Old World. It eats carrion, eggs, or insects, and often scavenges in settlements. References: Bent, Arthur C., Life Histories of North American Birds of Prey, 2 vols. (1937, repr. 1958) Turner, Ann W., Vultures (1973). |
