Cathartiformes

Cathartiformes is an order of birds of prey that is used in some classifications to group the New World vultures and their extinct relatives. In this system, Cathartiformes is distinct from the Old World vultures and other raptors, although many authorities place the New World vultures within Accipitriformes. The designation reflects ongoing debates about raptor relationships that rely on anatomy and molecular data.

The extant family Cathartidae comprises living New World vultures, including well-known species such as the turkey vulture and black vulture, as well as the larger condor species. The order also includes the extinct Teratornithidae, a lineage of giant carrion-feeders known from the Americas in the Cenozoic. Together, Cathartiformes represents a lineage of scavenging birds that evolved to exploit carrion across the American continents.

Morphology and ecology: Members are primarily scavengers, feeding on carrion. They typically have large wings adapted for soaring and often bare or minimally feathered heads, adaptations that help keep feeding areas clean. Most locate carcasses by sight, but several species, notably the turkey vulture, possess a well-developed sense of smell that aids carrion discovery. They often roost in groups and rely on open landscapes that assist thermaling and foraging.

Distribution and reproduction: New World vultures occur across North and South America, occupying a range of habitats from deserts to forests. Teratornithids inhabited similar regions in the past. Nests are usually placed in crevices, on ledges, or in abandoned structures, and eggs are laid singly or in small clutches.

Evolution and conservation: Molecular studies have questioned the exact placement of Cathartiformes relative to other raptors, fueling ongoing classification debates. Several living species face threats from habitat loss, poisoning, and lead exposure, with conservation efforts under way for certain taxa, including the California condor.