American Black Vulture

58-68 cm (23-27") Common scavenger in southeastern United States, rare in west and Canada. Open country, dumps, roadsides, urban areas.

Large, black, eagle-like bird with a short square tail; unfeathered gray head, pale bill.

In filight; soars and flaps on long, broad, "fingered" wings that have a whitish patch near the tips. Similar Turkey Vulture tilts back and forth on two-toned wings held in a V in flight and has a smaller head and longer tail.

Song: grunts, hisses.

Videos

Distribution Maps

American Black Vulture winter distribution map

American Black Vulture distribution map