American Black Vulture
TYPE: Bird
STATUS:
Least Concern
QUICK STATS
Body size
Length: 24–27 inches Weight: 3–5 pounds
native habitat
Forest landscapes of North America
life expectancy
Up to 30 years in human care
diet
Carrion
Reproduction
1–3 eggs per clutch
predators
Raccoons and foxes
natural defenses
Work in groups to ward off any threats
About the Species
These birds have dark black skin, covered in dark feathers. Though their legs appear white, they are truly black and only get their white appearance from the vulture urinating on itself to clean off after eating or to stay warm.
Nature’s Cleanup Crew!
These scavengers play an important role in cleaning up things like roadkill! They eat carrion, or dead animals, which is why they don’t have feathers on their head!
Coragyps atratus
Black Vultures lack a voice box and so their vocal abilities are limited to making raspy hisses and grunts.
WORD FROM
THE EXPERTS
