Black Vulture Facts

The black vulture is a large bird of prey. It ranges from the Mid-Atlantic States in the U.S. all the way down through Central and most of South America. This widespread species has many interesting things about it. So here are the top black vulture facts.

The Black Vulture Is A Scavenger That Sometimes Kills

Black vultures mainly eat carrion. However, they aren’t always scavengers. Sometimes they will kill and eat small animals such as birds, reptiles, and fish. They will also kill and eat defenseless newborn calves. Black vultures killing calves is one reason that they are considered to be a pest bird species by many farmers.

The Black Vulture Uses Its Vision To Find Food

As it soars in the air high above, this species uses its eyesight to scan the ground for carcasses to feed on. Unlike its close relative the turkey vulture which typically finds its meal using its sense of smell, the black vulture does not have a great sense of smell.

The Black Vulture Doesn’t Have A Voice Box

This species lacks a syrinx which is the vocal organ of birds. However, that doesn’t mean that they are silent birds. In fact, they can be quite loud when feeding. That being said unlike most other birds, black vulture sounds usually only consist of grunts and hisses.

The Black Vulture Uses Vomit For Self-Defense

Because of their large size adult, black vultures have few natural predators. Yet when threatened it will regurgitate partially digest food on its attacker. The acidic and foul-smelling vomit is often aimed at the face or eyes of the threat. Considering its diet this is one of the black vulture facts that you don’t want to learn firsthand.

Black Vultures Mate For Life

This species is monogamous. After completing a courtship ritual either while flying in the air or perched, black vultures will form a pair. And they will stay together and mate for life.

They Follow Turkey Vultures To Find Food

One of the most interesting facts about black vultures is that will follow turkey vultures in order to find food that they may not have been able to spot with their eyes. Turkey vultures can find rotting meat simply by using their sense of smell.

And black vultures will take advantage of this by following them to a carcass. Once they are on the ground the more aggressive black vultures will drive the turkey vultures away so they can enjoy their free meal.

There Are Three Subspecies

While it is commonly known as the American black vulture or simply the black vulture there are actually three distinct sub-species of this bird. These include the North American black vulture, Andean black vulture, and South American black vulture.  The North American black vulture is typically the largest of the three.

Black Vultures Quickly Gobble Down Their Food

Black vultures feed in large groups. And when they do there’s a lot of competition and fighting. Because of this, these birds will gobble their food down as quickly so they can get as many mouthfuls as possible before it’s all gone. Interestingly individual birds will even do this when they are alone in captivity and there is no competition from other vultures.

Black Vultures Go To The Bathroom On Their Legs

To help keep cool, black vultures practice what’s called urohydrosis. In other words, they defecate on their own legs. As the liquid in their waste evaporates off of their legs it helps to lower their body heat. Storks and other new world vultures such as turkey vultures do this too.

It’s A Protected Species

One of the black vultures facts most people don’t know is that in much of its range, it’s a protected species. In the United States, the black vulture is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. In Canada (although a very rare visitor) it is protected by the Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds species and in Mexico by the Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Game Mammals.

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