black vulture (Coragyps atratus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 22 inches Wingspan: 54 inches

• Sexes similar

• Large, broad-winged, soaring bird

• Tail short and squared-off

• Rather long, thick, gray legs

• Longish, hooked, dark bill

• Holds wings flat while soaring and gliding

• Flies with several quick flaps and a brief glide

• Unfeathered, gray head and throat

• Plumage entirely black except for whitish outer primaries

• Immature similar to adult

Similar species:

The turkey vulture is also dark with an unfeathered head, but has a much
different shape in flight. The turkey vulture is long-winged and long-tailed
and flies with a pronounced dihedral angle to the wings. Turkey vultures
lack the white patch at the wingtips and show contrast between paler
flight feathers and darker coverts. Eagles are larger with feathered heads
and different patterns of white in the wings and tail. Dark morph hawks
have longer tails usually with white markings and feathered heads.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Permanent resident
Breeding Habitat: N/A
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 2
Length of Incubation: 37-48 days
Days to Fledge: 80-94
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Primarily carrion

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August U
      Fall: September, October, November U

      Winter: December, January, February U

 

 

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