American Black Vulture

Description:

This 55-68 centimetre long bird is almost completely black, right down to the bare wrinkly skin on its face. It is not until the Black Vulture takes to the air that white markings can be seen near the tips of its 1.5 metre wings. Maximum weight for this bird is about 1.9 kilograms with a length of about 56 centimetres, making the Black Vulture slightly smaller than the Turkey Vulture. To make up for this they are more aggressive than their cousins and quite capable of driving Turkey Vultures from a carcass. Like most vultures this bird is essentially silent, though when annoyed it may snarl or hiss, but without any great volume. In the wild these birds live for an average of five years.

Habitat:

Dead Black Willow on Belton Lake Shoreline.