Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
Portrayed as portents of death in old western and horror movies, the Black Vulture can be found throughout the United States and as far south as Argentina. Primarily a scavenger of road kill and other dead flesh, vultures may also kill small animals for food. They are protected in the United States by Federal law. Although from a distance they appear to be an all-over dull black in color, when the sunlight hits their feathers, a multitude of colors can be seen. Their faces, however, are faces only a mother could love. This fellow was sitting on a post near a pond in Lake County, Florida.
Portrayed as portents of death in old western and horror movies, the Black Vulture can be found throughout the United States and as far south as Argentina. Primarily a scavenger of road kill and other dead flesh, vultures may also kill small animals for food. They are protected in the United States by Federal law. Although from a distance they appear to be an all-over dull black in color, when the sunlight hits their feathers, a multitude of colors can be seen. Their faces, however, are faces only a mother could love. This fellow was sitting on a post near a pond in Lake County, Florida.