Species Descriptions and Life Histories

This chapter describes the various species of obligate scavenging birds of prey and their life histories. Vultures are widespread geographically; their populations are most numerous and their diversity highest in tropical and subtropical regions. Substantial differences in both the distributions and the abundances of individual species occur, and together with their different phylogenies and their anatomical and behavioral characteristics, all species distinguish themselves as unique biological entities. New World vultures include the Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, King Vulture, California Condor, and Andean Condor. Old World vultures include the Palm-nut Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Hooded Vulture, Indian Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Rüppell's Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Cape Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, White-headed Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, and Lappet-faced Vulture.