Beak of the Week – Black Vulture

Black Vultures are large, all-black vultures with unfeathered, dark gray heads. They feed primarily on carrion, though they will occasionally hunt small fish or mammals. Black Vultures are common within their range, and can be found from the eastern United States to southern South America. Recently, their range has been expanding northward into New England. They usually breed and roost in forested habitats, but forage in open areas, including around roads, pastures, and towns.

Black Vultures may be confused with Turkey Vultures, with which they often associate. Turkey Vultures have an excellent sense of smell that they use to locate carcasses, and Black Vultures will often follow Turkey Vultures to carcasses, as their sense of smell is weaker. Turkey Vultures are slightly larger than Black Vultures, and have bright red heads (but be aware that juvenile Turkey Vultures have grayish heads). They also have different proportions: Black Vultures have short, square tails, while Turkey Vultures have relatively longer wings and tails. Also note the color of the wings in flight: Black Vultures also have entirely black wings except for silver patches on their wingtips, while the wings of Turkey Vultures are bicolored, with grayish flight feathers.

These handsome scavengers are very social. Mated pairs form long-term bonds, and related individuals form communal roosts and maintain strong social bonds with each other. Today, their populations are stable (even increasing!), but historically, Black Vultures were negatively impacted by DDT. Because they are scavengers, they are also at risk of lead poisoning from ingested lead shot and bullet fragments.