Description: It is a large New World vulture adapted to long-distance soaring flight and a scavenging lifestyle. Body length typically ranges between 64 and 81 cm, and the wingspan can exceed 1.7 meters, allowing efficient gliding using thermal currents. The plumage is generally dark brown to blackish, appearing fairly uniform when the bird is perched. In flight, however, the wings show a distinctive contrast between the paler flight feathers and darker wing coverts, producing a two-toned pattern visible from below. The head is relatively small compared to the body and is bare of feathers, exposing wrinkled skin that appears reddish in adults. This featherless head helps maintain hygiene while feeding on carrion. The bill is strong, pale ivory in color, and slightly hooked, suitable for tearing soft tissues. The eyes are dark and the legs are grayish. Juveniles differ from adults by having a darker grayish head rather than the bright red skin seen in mature individuals. During flight the wings are typically held in a slight dihedral “V” shape, while the bird rocks gently from side to side as it glides.

Geographic distribution: This species has one of the broadest distributions among raptors in the Americas. It occurs from southern Canada and most of the United States, through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, extending across much of South America to central Chile and Argentina. Within this extensive range, populations exhibit varying migratory behaviors. Northern populations tend to perform seasonal migrations toward warmer regions, whereas populations in tropical and subtropical areas are generally resident. In South America it is widely distributed, particularly in open landscapes and rural regions.

Habitat: It occupies a wide variety of habitats including open fields, grasslands, savannas, agricultural landscapes, and forest edges. It is also commonly seen near roadsides, landfills, livestock areas, and peri-urban environments, where food availability may be higher. The species favors landscapes with open terrain that facilitates soaring and the detection of carrion, although it often uses tall trees, utility poles, or rocky formations as perching sites. Its ecological flexibility allows it to inhabit environments ranging from coastal areas to mountainous regions, provided that suitable thermal currents are available for soaring flight.

Diet: Its diet consists almost entirely of carrion, making it an important ecological recycler of organic matter. Unlike many other scavenging birds, it possesses an extremely well-developed sense of smell, enabling it to locate dead animals even when they are hidden beneath vegetation. This ability distinguishes it from many other New World vultures that rely primarily on sight. It feeds on carcasses of mammals, birds, reptiles, and other vertebrates, including both wild and domestic animals. Often it is among the first scavengers to arrive at a carcass thanks to its olfactory ability, although it may depend on larger scavengers to open tougher hides.

Behavior: It is highly specialized for soaring flight, using rising thermal air currents to travel long distances with minimal energy expenditure. Throughout the day it may cover extensive areas while searching for food. Its flight style is distinctive, with slightly raised wings and gentle side-to-side rocking, which helps distinguish it from other vultures at a distance. On the ground it moves somewhat awkwardly, though it can walk around carcasses while feeding. It is frequently observed perched on trees, poles, or elevated structures, especially early in the morning while waiting for thermal currents to develop. At night, individuals may gather in communal roosts.

Breeding: Unlike many birds, it does not build a conventional nest. Instead, breeding usually takes place in protected locations such as rock cavities, hollow logs, caves, crevices, or abandoned buildings. The clutch typically consists of one or two eggs, white or cream-colored with dark markings. Both parents share incubation duties and chick care. The chicks hatch covered with pale down and are entirely dependent on the adults during their early development. Parents feed the young through regurgitation of partially digested food, a common behavior among scavenging birds.

Conservation status: The species is currently classified as Least Concern due to its vast range and generally stable population trends. Its ability to exploit diverse environments and food sources contributes to its resilience. Nevertheless, it faces localized threats such as secondary poisoning, vehicle collisions, habitat alteration, and environmental contamination, which may affect populations in certain regions.

Author of this compilation: EcoRegistros – 06/03/2026