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NEW WORLD VULTURES (CATHARTIDAE; 4 SPECIES) Small New World
family of carrion feeders. Differ from hawks and eagles in weaker bills and feet, lighter build,
naked and often colorful heads. Ages differ slightly to distinctly, sexes similar; adult appearance
attained in 1 year for smaller species, 3–4 years for King Vulture.
*NORTHERN TURKEY VULTURE Cathartes aura 66–76cm, WS 165–
183cm. Widespread and familiar soaring bird (often known simply as TV)
found in a wide variety of habitats from beaches and towns to mountains and
marshes; mainly in open, semi-open, and wooded country, tends to avoid heavy
forest. Roosts communally in trees, also in towns on tall pylons. Soars and
glides for long periods with little flapping, often tilting side to side; wings held
in a shallow V and wingbeats deep, elastic. Migrant flocks often mix with
Swainson’s and other hawks. Distinctive in most of range, but cf. Lesser Yellow-
headed Vulture of lowland marshes and savannas. Adults on s. Pacific slope
average darker upperparts, show variable whitish markings on nape, sometimes a pale crown patch. Juv.
attains reddish head within a few months. SOUNDS: Occasional soft clucks and hisses. STATUS: Common
to fairly common, to 2000m; uncommon higher. Much of N American population migrates through
Costa Rica, mainly late Jan–Apr, late Sep–Nov. (N America to Cen America, winters to S America.)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE Cathartes burrovianus 56–62cm, WS
148–165cm. Northern Turkey Vulture look-alike of marshes, savannas, and
open country. Shape and flight manner similar to Northern Turkey Vulture but
tail slightly shorter, less graduated. Rarely flies high overhead, mainly quarters
low over marshes, other open country. Slightly smaller and blacker than
Northern Turkey, with more-contrasting whitish shafts on outer primaries.
Adult head colors gaudy and striking. Juv. has mostly grayish head with
ghosting of adult pattern, attains adult colors within a few months. Usually
silent. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon locally in nw. lowlands and s. on
Pacific slope, mainly below 300m. (Mexico to S America.)
BLACK VULTURE Coragyps atratus 56–66cm, WS 140–158cm. Widespread,
familiar, and distinctive soaring bird of towns, villages, other open and semi-
open country, often near water and along rivers, at garbage dumps; tends to
avoid heavy forest. Often roosts on cliffs, pylons. Typically soars higher than
Northern Turkey Vulture, often in disorganized kettles; flies with wings less
raised than Northern Turkey, and wingbeats very different: stiff and hurried,
usually in short bursts. Commonly in groups on the ground, where hops and
ambles readily, unlike Northern Turkey, which is awkward on the ground. Juv.
has smoother head and darker bill than adult, like adult in 1–2 years.
SOUNDS: Occasional sneezy coughs. STATUS: Common to fairly common, especially near water bodies in
lowlands and foothills; less numerous above 2000m. Not migratory. (Americas.)
KING VULTURE Sarcoramphus papa 71–82cm, WS 176–193cm. Large spec
tacular vulture of forest and adjacent semi-open country. Mostly seen as singles
or pairs in flight, often high overhead; sometimes in kettles with other vultures.
Small groups may gather locally at carcasses, when dominates smaller Black
Vulture. Adult distinctive, but soaring at long range cf. Wood Stork (p. 90). Juv.
lacks white primary panels of Black Vulture and has whitish mottling on under
wing coverts, broader and longer wings held flatter with tips curled up. Attains
adult plumage in about 3–4 years. Usually silent. STATUS: Uncommon to scarce
on both slopes, locally to 1500m; perhaps most numerous on Osa Peninsula.
(Mexico to S America.)
