~Vultures~

~Cathartes aura~


The Vulture is a scavenger
and feeds almost exclusively on carrion.
It finds its meals using its sense of smell,
flying low enough to detect the gases
produced by the of decay in dead animals.
In flight, it uses thermals to move through the air.
It rarely flaps its wings, preferring to glide on the winds.

With a wingspan of up to 6 feet
it can be 3 feet long from beak to tail.
It has dark brown to black plumage,
and a featherless, purplish-red head and neck
with a short, hooked, ivory-colored beak.

The name Vulture is derived from the Latin word vulturus,
meaning "tearer" and is a reference to its feeding habits.
The genus name, Cathartes, means "purifier".
The species name, aura, is a from the Native Mexican
word for the bird, auroura.

I love watching these birds in flight,
with as many as 10 or 15 birds all grouped together.
The combined gathering soars in tight circles
from ground level to altitudes so high
they only appear as dark specks in the clouds.

Thanks for looking at
my very Photoshopped version!


3.0 h