Black overall. The skin on the bare head is gray and wrinkled, darker and smoother on young birds. The bill is dark with a pale tip. The legs and feet are pale gray. In flight, the white undersides of the primaries form pale wingtips that contrast with the rest of the bird’s plumage. Wings are held flat or in a slight dihedral. The tail is very short, and the wings appear broad and rounded.

Length: 60 (cm) Wingspan: 137 (cm)

Voice:

Occasional grunts when feeding. Hisses when threatened.

Habitat:

Roosts and nests in woodlands. Forages in open habitats.

Behavior:

In flight, intersperses glides with a short series of quick shallow flaps. Usually found in flocks, often mixed with Turkey Vultures.

Feeding:

Mostly carrion, but occasionally takes small live prey. Black Vultures do not have a well developed sense of smell, so carrion is located by sight or by following Turkey Vultures.