Black vulture

Black vulture IUCN Status

Description

​A generalist scavenger, it feeds on insects, eggs of other species, fish and carcasses of all sizes. It frequents rubbish dumps and also feeds on animals killed on roads. Its ability to ingest large quantities of food more quickly than Cathartes vultures allows it to dominate carcasses despite its size. It feeds primarily on viscera and muscle. Having no sense of smell, it often depends on other Cathartes vultures to find food in more enclosed environments. It sometimes preys on small prey such as fish, insects, young birds in nests, and reptiles.

Conservation

​Very abundant locally. Its opportunistic behaviour allows it to adapt to human disturbances.