Facts About the Vulture

The vulture probably is best known for its habit of scavenging. It is one of the few birds of prey that feeds primarily on dead or weakened animals rather than hunting and capturing its food. However, the vulture also is a strong, large and long-lived bird. It's also adaptable, with several species developing skills to aid in hunting.

  1. Species of Vulture

    • The 21 species of vulture fall into two categories: Old World, from Africa, Asia and Europe, and New World, from the Americas. According to Animal Planet, the two groups are not closely related, and are grouped together because they share similarities in appearance and in their role in the ecosystem. In North America, the most commonly sighted vulture is the turkey vulture. While the turkey vulture and the black vulture are seen frequently in the same areas, according to the U.S. National Park Service, the black vulture is more aggressive. When a carcass is spotted, the black vulture often drives the turkey vulture away.

    Its Senses Are Sharp

    • Many vultures use sight to locate food sources and, while in the air, some species can spot an animal carcass from up to four miles away. Other vultures, such as the turkey vulture, use their keen sense of smell to locate food. According to Animal Planet, the turkey vulture's sense of smell is so acute that it can find roadkill and other carcasses before other vulture species.

    It's Adaptable

    • Several vulture species have developed skills and characteristics that help make them more efficient hunters. The African white-backed vulture has no feathers on its neck, helping it stay clean even when it must burrow its head deep into a carcass when feeding. The small Egyptian vulture has difficulty competing with larger species for carcasses, and so has developed the skill of using stones to break open ostrich eggs. It is one of the few animals to use tools, according to EcoLocalizer. Some species eat rapidly. In just four to five minutes, the griffon can fill its crop with about 3 pounds of meat, which will last it at least four days, according to the Phoenix Zoo.

    It's Social

    • Despite sometimes intense competition for food, it's common to see several species of vulture feeding on one carcass. They're often seen in a group called a venue, and when circling a carcass the group is called a kettle. Most vulture species mate for life, which could as long as 40 or 50 years. Males and females share parenting duties, including incubating, brooding and feeding.