Scientific Name:
Sarcoramphus papa
Distribution
Mexico to Argentina and Uruguay.
Diet:
Scavenger. Occasionally may also eat palm fruits and fruits from tropical trees.
Facts
Habitat: Tropical forest, savanna and grassland.
Incubation: 53-58 days / 1 egg
Social structure: solitary or in pairs
Weight: 3-3.7kg
Dimensions: height 71-81cm, wing span 1. 7-2m
Lifespan: 40 under human care
Estimated population in the wild: 670-6,700
Threats: Habitat destruction.
IUCN Status: Least concern
Did you know that:
- They have one of the most powerful beaks of all American vultures and can open carcasses that other vultures cannot. For this reason, they often eat first and other vultures feed off the remains.
- They do not appear to have a functional sense of smell, so they are largely dependent on other vultures to lead them to food.