Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
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Along with the turkey vulture, the Black Vulture is often seen feeding on animal carcasses along roadways. They are also easily spotted as they soar overhead, looking for their next meal. The black vulture differs from the turkey vulture in being a bit smaller, having an all-black head, and possessing a more slender beak. While turkey vultures can locate carrion by smell, black vultures cannot, having the more typical weak olfactory sense of many birds. Black vultures do, however, possess a keen sense of sight and can not only discern a dead animal but are also quick to notice when other vultures are gathering for a meal.
Black vultures roost in large colonies and seem to do well in urban settings. They are also noted for their preference of waterfront habitat, perhaps because it is easy to spot animal remains along the open banks or floating in the water, as seen below.
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class: Aves / order: Falconiformes / family: Cathartidae / genus: Coragyps / species: atratus
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