Black Vulture

Black Vulture(s), Coragyps atratus

Found throughout the majority of South America up through the southern portion of North America, the Black Vulture is a common sighting. Unlike the Turkey Vulture, the other common vulture species, the black vulture rarely travels alone, relies more on sight than smell, and does not have a summer breeding migration. When identifying between the two species, the black vulture is a dark shape with white wing tips and often flying higher than its counterpart. It is a monogamous species that forms strong social bonds with its kin. As with all carrion eating animals, lead poisoning is not uncommon due to lead shots being left in carcasses or gut piles from hunters.