Vultures are native to a huge range of countries.
Large birds, vultures are characterized both by their bald heads and by their penchant for feeding on carrion meat, an eating habit that provides a useful function for other animals by clearing landscape of carrion. Species of vultures are split into two general categories: Old World vultures that live in Asia and Africa, part of the order Falconiformes, and New World vultures, which are part of the order Cathartidae and dwell in the Americas.
Central and South America
The King vulture is the biggest of the New World vultures besides the condors, typically measuring some 32 inches in length. It is found in both the south of Mexico and in Argentina, and inhabits forested lowlands. The King vulture possess excellent eyesight and uses both this and a heightened sense of smell to find carrion that has already been pulled open by other predators; since it has a weak beak, it can't do this itself. Native to South America, Andean condors are huge birds, weighing some 33 pounds with wingspans measuring around 10 feet. Andean condors live in mountains and coastal regions, where they can use the strong winds that frequent these environments to help keep them in the air.
Africa
The African continent is home to Old World vultures such as the Cape Griffon, which lives in the plains and mountains of South Africa. The Cape Griffon has black flight feathers and woolly heads. They feed often on the carcasses of cattle, and the culling of local cattle populations have been known to lead to declines in Cape Griffon numbers. With its white or gray plumage and contrasting black flight feathers, the Egyptian vulture is easily recognized. It lives across pasture and desert areas, heading to rocky terrain to nest. Despite its name, the Egyptian vulture can be found across African countries such as Tanzania and Angola, as well as parts of Europe and Asia.
North America
The California condor is characterized by its huge wings, short tail and bald orange head. It is an aggressive feeder, known for pulling carcasses away from other predators if it needs to. One of the few birds it cannot dominate is the Golden Eagle, as the All About Birds website notes. Colored brown to black and with a bare, red head, the Turkey vulture is an inhabitant of multiple areas within the U.S., such as the Great Lakes area. It typically lives in woodlands. A Turkey vulture can be recognized by the hissing sound it makes as it feeds on carrion.
Asia
The Asian white-rumped vulture inhabits woodlands and cliffs, and often nests near to cities. Its name stems from its white underside, while this bird is also notable for its ability to fly up to 9,000 feet. A denizen of the Indian subcontinent among other places, the Slender-billed vulture gained its name thanks to its thin appearance. These vultures have black heads and messy feathers.
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