🖤 Black Vulture — Ep 28/59

Species: Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) Episode: 28 of 59 Published: 2026-06-14

🖤 BLACK VULTURE — Ep 28/59 Coragyps atratus

The Black Vulture is one of North America's most recognizable raptors — a stocky, jet-black scavenger with a wrinkled bare black head, short square tail, and those unmistakable silvery wingtip patches that flash in the sun during a soaring bank.

Unlike its relative the Turkey Vulture, the Black Vulture holds its wings flat (not in a V), beats them more rapidly, and navigates by sight rather than smell. It's highly social, often roosting in large groups and following Turkey Vultures to carcasses — then muscling in with numbers.

🔍 Field ID Quick Look: • Jet-black overall with bare black head (vs. Turkey Vulture's red head) • Short square tail, barely extends past wing edge • White/silvery patches on outer 6 primaries — visible in flight from above AND below • Flat wing posture in soar; rapid flap-flap-glide cadence • Body 23–27 in | Wingspan 54–59 in | Weight ~4.4 lb

📍 Range: Year-round resident SE United States, expanding north; also Central & South America 🍃 Habitat: Open country, roadsides, landfills, agricultural edges, near water

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