Black Vultures

Common in the Southeast but not so common here

In southern Arizona, Turkey Vultures are very common, especially from the spring through the fall. Black Vultures, on the other hand, are uncommon here although they are year round residents. In the air, you can see the Black Vulture’s distinctive white wingtips that contrast with its black wings and body. The tail of Black Vultures is shorter than that of a Turkey Vulture.

Black Vultures are very social birds and tend to congregate in groups. A friend and I came across a group in farmland west of Eloy. Turkey Vultures have red heads, which led to their name “turkey”, but Black Vultures have dark gray or black heads. Both species of vultures have bare, featherless skin on their heads. Their bills are long, straight and dark. The Desert Museum compares Turkey Vultures to Black Vultures.

One of the Black Vultures entertained us with his morning stretching.

He continued his morning yoga while moving along the berm.

The range map of the Black Vulture shows them to be year-round residents of the southeastern US (Map courtesy of AllAboutBirds.org) . Their range has been expanding northward. They were first reported in Arizona about 100 years ago. Black Vultures are generally non-migratory.

Vultures are a misunderstood bird. They are critical to the ecosystem and are nature’s sanitation engineers. Without Vultures, the world would be much less sanitary and much more foul smelling. Is it possible for Black Vultures, like the one below, to even be considered somewhat handsome??

I mentioned that Black Vultures are very social birds. When they are resting, a group of Black Vultures are referred to as a ‘committee.” When in the air, a group of these birds is called a “kettle”. When they are feeding, a group of Black Vultures is referred to as a “wake.” For another look at these birds, check out my friend Steve’s blog, called Sonoran Images, on our time with this fine committee.

Black Vultures are very curious and intelligent birds. Due to their scavenging nature, they are often discounted and misunderstood. If you are curious about Black Vultures and would like to learn more, HawkWatch International provides more background information.