Cathartidae

Cathartidae, commonly called the New World vultures, is a family of scavenging birds native to the Americas. They are obligate scavengers that feed on carrion and play a key role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem cleanup. The group is distinct from the Old World vultures, though both share convergent ecological roles.

The family contains four extant genera: Cathartes (turkey vultures and relatives), Coragyps (black vulture), Gymnogyps (California condor), and Sarcoramphus (king vulture). The most familiar species include the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), the black vulture (Coragyps atratus), the king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa), and the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus). Most authorities place Cathartidae in the order Cathartiformes, although some older classifications have placed them in Accipitriformes.

Distribution and habitat vary by species but broadly cover the Americas from southern Canada to South America. Turkey and black vultures are widespread in many habitats, including deserts, grasslands, and forests. The California condor occupies high mountains and expansive canyons in the western United States and Baja California, while the king vulture is found in tropical lowlands of Central and South America. Members are typically diurnal and roost communally, often in large thermals for efficient soaring.

Physical characteristics include featherless or lightly feathered heads, strong hooked bills, and broad wings suited to soaring flight. Diet consists almost exclusively of carrion, and they use keen senses of sight and (in some species) smell to locate food. Life history traits vary, but many species have long lifespans and slow reproductive rates.

Conservation status is most urgent for the California condor, which is critically endangered and subject to intensive captive breeding and reintroduction programs. Other species face localized threats from habitat loss, poisoning, and collisions, with varying conservation priorities by region.