Image via Macaulay Library
Black Vulture
- Scientific name
- Coragyps atratus
- Family
- Cathartidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Urban suburban
- Wing shape
- Broad
- Tail shape
- Short
Where it came from
The Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, is a bird of prey that has naturally evolved over millennia across the southeastern United States and South America. Within the context of natural history collections, specimens of this species were historically prepared by taxidermists during the 19th and early 20th centuries to document avian biodiversity in the Americas. These preserved specimens were designed to assist ornithologists in studying the bird's distinct physical characteristics, specifically its broad, rounded wing shape and notably short, square-tipped tail.
The species is ecologically significant for its role as a scavenger, a behavior that initially shaped its reputation among settlers and early naturalists. Scientific illustrations and taxidermy displays from the period aimed to capture the stark, utilitarian aesthetic of the bird, focusing on its dark plumage and unfeathered head. While once viewed primarily through a functional lens, modern interest in these specimens often stems from a broader appreciation for the ecological services provided by carrion-eating birds in complex ecosystems.
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About Black Vulture
Black Vulture is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
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