Black Vulture

The more southern of our two common vulture species, the Black Vulture flaps its wings rather frequently while it soars. It is more social than the Turkey Vulture, often traveling in large flocks.

Like all vultures, black vultures mainly eat carrion. They do not appear to be very good at finding their own meals, and they often wait until they see a group of turkey vultures feeding. One-on-one, a Black Vulture can be dominated by the slightly larger Turkey Vulture. Black Vultures rarely travel alone and can quickly take over a carcass and drive the more solitary Turkey Vultures away. They have also been known to occasionally catch young and helpless birds and mammals.

Photographed in the wild, Kissimmee,FL