Birds of Panama

    ACCIPITRIFORMES: Cathartidae (New World Vultures)  
Genus: Cathartes (2 species, 3 worldwide)



Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Sopetran, Antioquia, Colombia
  Note white nape of tropical races.
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Larger than the Black Vulture, and uses scent to find carrion. Some migrate south, but note tropical resident birds have a white nape. Immatures have black head.
In flight. Note no white on wings of Turkey Vulture compared to smaller [Black Vulture].
North American Turkey Vultures including those that migrate to the tropics have all red heads.
Unusual light-colored bird.

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus)
Pousada Rio Claro, Pantanal, Brazil  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus)
Hato Aurora, Casanare, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

More likely to be found outside of the forest than very similar Greater Yellow-headed Vulture. Note immature lacks yellow head and is similar to Turkey Vulture.
Group shot.


© Tom Friedel - All Rights Reserved, except for images and data otherwise noted.       Colombia       Panama       Ecuador       Costa Rica       Mexico
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Really Experimental sites:       Guyana       Cuba