Birds of the World

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



Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Range: NA, MA, SA: widespread
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)
Range: MA, SA: e Mexico to n Argentina
Pousada Rio Claro, Pantanal, Brazil  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus)
Range: MA, SA: e Mexico to n Argentina
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.

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes melambrotus)
Range: SA: Amazonia
Mitu, Vaupes, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes melambrotus)
Range: SA: Amazonia
Puerto Nariño, Amazonas, Colombia  
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture
Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes melambrotus) Immature
Range: SA: Amazonia
Puerto Nariño, Amazonas, Colombia
  Immature with wings open.
   
Photograph by Tom Friedel   © All Rights Reserved.

Compare to Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, but note larger broader wings and longer tail. Found inside the forest. Note immature lacks yellow head and looks similar to Turkey Vulture.
Alt. photo


© Tom Friedel - All Rights Reserved, except for images and data otherwise noted.       Colombia       Panama       Ecuador       Costa Rica       Mexico
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