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Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

Description:

The Black Vulture is a scavenger and feeds on carrion, but will also eat eggs or kill newborn animals. In areas populated by humans, it also feeds at garbage dumps. It finds its meals either by using its keen eyesight or by following other (New World) vultures, which possess a keen sense of smell. Lacking a syrinx—the vocal organ of birds—its only vocalizations are grunts or low hisses.[2] It lays its eggs in caves or hollow trees or on the bare ground, and generally raises two chicks each year, which it feeds by regurgitation. In the United States, the vulture receives legal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.[3] This vulture also appeared in Mayan codices. Wikipedia

Habitat:

This bird was taking a drink of water from a retention pond in Laurel Park.

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2 Comments

ceherzog
ceherzog 12 years ago

Thanks LauraMaria...They are pretty amazing to gaze upon up close!

LauraMaria
LauraMaria 12 years ago

Nice spotting ceherzog! That portrait in the 1st pic is lovely, I love the textures on his head, it makes him look like he's wearing a judge's wig haha! Great find :)

ceherzog
Spotted by
ceherzog

Sarasota, Florida

Spotted on Oct 25, 2011
Submitted on Oct 25, 2011

Spotted for Mission

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Reference

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