King Vulture
Sarcoramphus papa
Class
Aves
Order
Cathartiformes
Family
Cathartidae
King Vulture
Range
Southern Mexico to northern Argentina
Size
Length: 32 in
Wingspan: 5 - 6 ft
Weight: 6 - 9 lbs
Habitat
Tropical forests; also seen in plains and savannas
Young
Clutch of 1 egg
Incubation: 38 days
Diet
Carrion (dead or decaying animal matter)
IUCN Status
Least Concern
They have a thick, strong beak that is specially adapted for ripping and tearing through tough-skinned carcasses.
They rely heavily on their keen eyesight to find food. They feed on rotting carcasses which helps prevent the potential spread of disease.
Vocalizations
King vultures lack a syrinx, which means they can only make simple hisses and grunts.
Reproduction
The king vulture usually lays a solitary egg. Both parents share the responsibilities of incubation. Chicks take five years to develop full adult plumage.
Status
They are not listed as threatened, but there population is in decline due to human disturbance and habitat loss.
How Vultures Help Us
Disease Control. By quickly consuming decaying carcasses, king vultures help prevent the spread of disease. Carcasses left to rot can become breeding grounds for bacteria (like Clostridium botulinum and anthrax) that can contaminate water sources or infect other wildlife. The vulture's highly acidic stomach acid kills most of these dangerous pathogens.
Natural Sanitation. Vultures provide free sanitation services in remote areas where large animal carcasses (like tapirs, deer, or cattle) may be difficult for humans to dispose of. Without vultures, these carcasses would take much longer to decompose, leading to foul odors and pest issues near human settlements.
Our Animals
Hermosa Hatched April 18, 2000
Guapo Hatched Jan 29, 2001
