Vulture

A vulture is a scavenger well-known for the eating of carrion. It is considered unclean by the Jews.

Species

New World vultures

Found in the Americas, these birds are characterized from Old World vultures by a reliance on scent to find a carcass. Five genera, seven species:

• Genus Cathartes

Lesser yellow-headed vulture, Cathartes burrovianus

Greater yellow-headed vulture, Cathartes melambrotus

Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura

• Genus Coragyps

Black vulture, Coragyps atratus

• Genus Gymnogyps

California condor, Gymnogyps californianus

• Genus Sarcoramphus

King vulture, Sarcoramphus papa

• Genus Gymnogyps

Andean condor, Vultur gryphus

Old World vultures

Found in Europe, Africa, and Asia, these birds rely on sight to find carrion; they are further characterized from New World vultures by the presence of a feathered neck and head in most species. Nine genera, sixteen species:

• Genus Aegypius

Eurasian black vulture, Aegypius monachus

• Genus Gypaetus

Lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus

• Genus Gypohierax

Palm-nut vulture, Gypohierax angolensis

• Genus Gyps

Cape griffon vulture, Gyps coprotheres

Griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus

Himalayan griffon vulture, Gyps himalayensis

Long-billed vulture, Gyps indicus

Ruppel's vulture, Gyps rueppelli

Slender-billed vulture, Gyps tenuirostris

White-backed vulture, Gyps africanus

Indian white-rumped vulture, Gyps bengalensis

• Genus Necrosyrtes'

Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus

• Genus Neophron'

Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus

• Genus Sarcogyps'

Red-headed vulture, Sarcogyps calvus

• Genus Torgos'

Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotus

• Genus Trigonoceps'

White-headed vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis