The Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery and Conservation Education Center is a place where people of all ages can learn about conservation in Missouri.
Media
Scientific Name
Coragyps atratus
Family
Cathartidae (New World vultures) in the order Cathartiformes
Description
The black vulture has a large, black body with a featherless, grayish-black head. Seen from below, the wings are mostly black, with a white patch near the outer end of the wing; the tail is short. In flight, it alternates between a series of three to four flaps and soaring. The wings are held nearly horizontally. It frequently flies higher than turkey vultures, following and watching them from above.
Because they have no voice box (syrinx), black vultures can only grunt and hiss when they vocalize.
Similar species: Turkey vultures are more common statewide. Adult turkey vultures have featherless red heads; juvenile turkey vultures have gray heads. Seen from below, the wings appear black with the trailing half of the wing gray or sometimes silvery in certain light. Wings are held in a shallow V position, and in flight, turkey vultures tilt or wobble due to their relatively light weight and long wings.
Size
Length: 25 inches; wingspan: 58 inches.
Where To Find
Statewide. Most sightings are in extreme southern Missouri, but black vultures have been increasing their range to the north. Their global range extends from the southeastern United States through much of Mexico, south through Central America, and nearly to the southern tip of South America.
Habitat and Conservation
A rare migrant in extreme southern Missouri, where it may be observed soaring over bluffs or feeding on carrion along highways. Black vultures are occasionally observed farther north. It is a rare summer resident in extreme southern Missouri, where cave nests have been reported. Although turkey vultures are much more common in our state, black vultures are expanding their range northward, and sightings of them have increased.
Black vultures often forage over open areas and along roads. At night they gather in large, communal roosts in trees.
Food
Like turkey vultures, black vultures feed on carrion, including roadkill, and in dumpsters and landfills. They commonly eat the carcasses of deer, raccoons, skunks, opossums, feral hogs, cattle, and armadillos. Their featherless heads are a hygienic adaption for this scavenging lifestyle.
Turkey vultures have a stronger sense of smell and are better at finding carcasses. Black vultures often follow turkey vultures to find food, and groups of them will drive turkey vultures away from the carcass. In the presence of black vultures, turkey vultures must keep renewing their searches for carrion. Black vultures occasionally kill young opossums, skunks, and other small animals, including the young of livestock. They may also feed on the eggs of birds and reptiles.
Status
Uncommon permanent resident in southern and central Missouri and locally; accidental permanent resident in northern Missouri.
Black vultures are quite common in the southeastern U.S., Central America, and South America, and are the most numerous vulture species in the Western Hemisphere. As this species expands its range northward, we can expect to see more black vultures statewide. It is now often seen in New England.
Life Cycle
Life Cycle
Black vultures can live for 25 years and form strong, year-long, monogamous pairs that last for many years. They are attentive parents and stay in tight-knit family groups, helping each other find food and repelling unrelated vultures.
They usually nest in dense woodlands, and sometimes in human-built structures. Eggs are laid on the ground in caves, thickets, hollow trees, and other dark, protected places. There is one brood a year, with 1–3 (usually 2) eggs in a clutch. They incubate for more than a month and stay in the nest for about 2 more months. Parents continue feeding their young for up to 8 months after the chicks fledge. Family bonds are maintained throughout their lives.
Human Connections
Until the 1900s, black vultures were appreciated as slaughterhouse cleaners in the southeast. Then, unfounded fears of them spreading disease caused them to be shot, trapped, and poisoned into the 1970s. Now, abundant roadkill, climate change, and changes in nesting habitat availability seem to be increasing their numbers and range.
Ecosystem Connections
Eating carrion isn’t pretty, but it’s an important job in the world of nature. In addition to recycling the proteins and other nutrients in the bodies of dead animals, converting it to the less offensive form of their own bodies, vultures lessen everyone’s exposure to potential disease sources.
Title
Media Gallery
Image
Caption
Although turkey vultures are much more common in our state, black vultures are expanding their range northward, and sightings of them are increasing.
Credit
Noppadol Paothong
Right to Use
Photo by Noppadol Paothong, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
Image
Caption
Seen from below, the wings of black vultures are mostly black, with a white patch near the outer end of the wing; the tail is short. The wings are held nearly horizontally.
Right to Use
Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
Image
Caption
Eating carrion isn’t pretty, but it’s an important job. Vultures recycle the proteins and other nutrients in the bodies of dead animals, converting it to the less offensive form of their own bodies.
Right to Use
Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
Image
Caption
Black vultures feed on carrion, including roadkill, and in dumpsters and landfills. Their featherless heads are a hygienic adaption for this lifestyle.
Credit
Noppadol Paothong
Right to Use
Photo by Noppadol Paothong, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
Image
Image
Image
Image
Title
Similar Species
Similar Species
Media
Where to See Species
About Birds in Missouri
About 350 species of birds are likely to be seen in Missouri, though nearly 400 have been recorded within our borders. Most people know a bird when they see one — it has feathers, wings, and a bill. Birds are warm-blooded, and most species can fly. Many migrate hundreds or thousands of miles. Birds lay hard-shelled eggs (often in a nest), and the parents care for the young. Many communicate with songs and calls.
Reviewed On