Bird
Black Vulture
Bad breath and a big appetite
Where Vultures Roam
Black vultures are abundant in the southeast and may wander north of their breeding range at any season, especially in late summer. They're expanding northward and are increasingly spotted in New England. Go Pats?
Fun Facts
Black vultures are highly social and demonstrate fierce family loyalty by sharing food with relatives and feeding their young for months after fledging. They're also more aggressive than turkey vultures and often chase them away from a carcass in one of nature’s grossest food fights.
Quick Facts
Average Size
About 2 feet long with a 4-5 foot wingspan, stocky and broad-winged.
What's on the Menu
Primarily animal carcasses (carrion), with occasional small mammals, birds, and amphibians. Unlike turkey vultures, they rely on sight rather than smell, and often just follow turkey vultures to the meal.
The Look
Black body, short square tail, featherless dark gray head. In flight, look for white patches near the wingtips underneath.
