Length: 25 inches | Wingspan: 60 inches | Seasonality: Extremely Rare Visitor |
ID Keys: Dark overall, with black body, and wrinkly gray head. Primary feathers show as distinct gray wingtips in flight |
The
Black Vulture is the more common vulture in the southeastern United States,
while it is largely absent in most of the western and northern parts of the
country. They are typically much more gregarious than
Turkey Vultures, often found in large
flocks, and dominating carcasses where the two species overlap, usually due to
sheer numbers and aggressiveness. It is that aggressiveness that has
caused it to be somewhat of a nuisance in areas, as they will sometimes attack
and kill newly born livestock.
2) Whatbird.com: Black Vulture
3) USGS Patuxent: Black Vulture
Click on the map below for a higher-resolution view |
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South Dakota Status: Status in South Dakota is "hypothetical", with no confirmed sightings, but considered likely to occur in the state on rare occasions or in the near future. |