king vultures
Colorful carrion birds
King vultures are large carrion-eating birds native to Central and South America, distinctive for their striking white-and-black plumage and brightly colored bare heads.
The name reflects both their size—among the largest New World vultures—and their dominance at carcasses, where smaller vultures defer to them.
We spotted a king vulture circling above the jungle canopy.
- carrionPutrefying animal remains
- blackDarkest possible hue
- soarAscend to heights
- scavengerSeeker of refuse
- redPrimary color, warm
raptor · plumage · Amazon basin · condor · courtship displays · sacred bird · skin · bird of prey · indigenous folklore · snood · white · South America · flight · Central America · thermoregulation · jungle canopy · tropical rainforests · forest floor