Vultures are large birds of prey that feed mostly on carrion. There are seven species of vultures found in the United States: turkey vulture, black vulture, California condor, Andean condor, king vulture, lesser yellow-headed vulture, and greater yellow-headed vulture.
Turkey Vulture
The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is the most widespread and common vulture species in the US. It ranges across the entire continental US, as well as parts of southern Canada, Mexico, and Central America. Turkey vultures can be found in a variety of open and semi-open habitats at low elevations, including subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, agricultural areas, deserts, and urban areas. They nest on the ground, in caves, hollow trees, and abandoned buildings. Turkey vulture numbers today are estimated at around 4.5 million birds.
Black Vulture
The black vulture (Coragyps atratus) has a more limited range within the US than the turkey vulture. Black vultures are found across the southeastern US from North Carolina south to Florida and west to Texas, with isolated populations in some additional states. Their preferred habitats are similar to the turkey vulture’s. Unlike many other vulture species, black vultures will nest in abandoned buildings and other manmade structures. Current black vulture numbers are estimated at around 2 million birds.
California Condor
The endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is North America’s largest land bird, with a wingspan of up to 10 feet. Once widespread across North America, by 1982 only 22 California condors remained in the wild. Through captive breeding and reintroduction programs, the wild California condor population now stands at more than 300 birds, restricted to parts of California, Arizona, Utah, and Baja California in Mexico. California condors inhabit mountainous areas and nest in large cavities in cliffs and rock walls.
Andean Condor
The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is South America’s largest flying bird. A small population of Andean condors can be found in extreme northern Arizona around the Grand Canyon, numbering around 80 birds. This isolated population may be descendents of condors that once ranged further north in North America. The Andean condor prefers remote, mountainous terrain and is an occasional vagrant outside its core Arizona range.
King Vulture
The king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) inhabits tropical forests from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. In the US, king vultures occur in south Texas, with vagrants occasionally reaching Florida and elsewhere in the southeast. They live in open country and forest edges, nesting high in trees. King vultures have declined in parts of their range but US populations appear stable, especially in Texas.
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
The lesser yellow-headed vulture (Cathartes burrovianus) is found from Mexico through Central America and into South America. Small numbers reach the southernmost parts of Texas in and near the Lower Rio Grande Valley, mainly during the summertime. This vulture inhabits open and semi-open country often near waterways. The US population likely numbers less than 100 birds.
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture
The greater yellow-headed vulture (Cathartes melambrotus) ranges from Mexico south to Argentina and Chile. In the US, it is an extremely rare vagrant, with a handful of records from Texas. Its habitats include humid forests as well as open country. The greater yellow-headed vulture population is declining in some areas, but is apparently more common than the lesser yellow-headed in the northern part of its range.
Summary of Vulture Species in the US
In summary, five vulture species regularly occur in the US:
- Turkey vulture – throughout continental US
- Black vulture – southeastern US
- California condor – small populations in western US
- Andean condor – small population in Arizona
- King vulture – southern Texas
Two additional species are rare visitors to the US:
- Lesser yellow-headed vulture – southern Texas
- Greater yellow-headed vulture – extremely rare in Texas
The turkey vulture and black vulture are by far the most widespread and abundant vulture species inhabiting the US today. Other species are extremely localized or rare in only limited parts of the US.
Habitats and Behavior
Vultures occupy varied habitats across their ranges, from dense forests to open deserts. Most prefer drier, open landscapes and avoid extremely cold or hot environments. Vultures are scavengers and locate carcasses by sight and smell. They fill an important ecological niche by clearing dead animal remains. Vultures are highly social, often congregating in large numbers at carcasses and communal roost sites, like large trees or cliff faces.
Threats and Conservation
Once threatened by hunting, pesticide poisoning, and lack of food sources, vulture populations in the US have rebounded in most regions due to conservation efforts. Reintroduced California condors still require active monitoring and management. Vultures face ongoing threats from lead poisoning, collisions with powerlines, habitat loss, and climate change. Maintaining healthy populations of these scavengers will require continued public education and conservation initiatives.
Conclusion
The turkey vulture and black vulture are the most common and widespread vulture species inhabiting the US today. California condors, Andean condors, king vultures, and yellow-headed vultures exist in small, localized populations or as rare vagrants in limited parts of the US. Vultures fill an important ecological role as scavengers and still require conservation efforts to monitor threats like lead poisoning and climate change. With appropriate habitat protection and management, these unique birds will continue their vital clean-up services across the skies of the United States.