vulture

Vultures are large birds that feed primarily on carrion, playing an important ecological role as scavengers. There are two major lineages: Old World vultures, in the family Accipitridae, and New World vultures, in the family Cathartidae. Old World vultures are found across Africa, Europe, and Asia; New World vultures inhabit the Americas. They are typically robust and rely on soaring flight, with broad wings and heads or necks that are often bare of feathers to stay clean while feeding.

Differences between the groups include their senses and feeding strategies. Most Old World vultures locate food by sight and have relatively limited sense of smell. New World vultures, in contrast, frequently use both sight and a well-developed sense of smell to detect carcasses.

Diet and feeding behavior: Vultures are obligate scavengers, feeding mainly on discarded carcasses. They often feed in groups at a carcass and can consume tissues that many other animals avoid. Their feeding activity helps limit the spread of disease and recycles nutrients. Some species nest on cliffs or tall trees and form long-term pair bonds.

Conservation: Many vultures face threats from poisoning, habitat loss, and food shortages. The use of certain veterinary drugs in livestock, such as diclofenac, caused dramatic declines in several Asian species in the 1990s. Some Old World species remain endangered or critically endangered; in the New World, the California condor remains highly managed, and other condor species have varying statuses.

Selected species: Old World examples include the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) and White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus). New World examples include the Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), Black vulture (Coragyps atratus), Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), and California condor (Gymnogyps californianus).