Cathartidae - New World Vultures | 
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                  There are seven species in this family. They are all found in North and South America. The birds in this family are scavengers, they eat carrion. They have bare heads, powerful legs and feet, and strong bills. 
                Species in this family include: the turkey vulture, the lesser yellow-headed vulture, the greater yellow-headed vulture, the black vulture, the king vulture, the California condor and the Andean condor. 
                  
                  
                  Cathartidae Photo Gallery 
               
                World Status Key 
                     Least Concern   Near Threatened   Vulnerable   Endangered  Critically Endangered   Extinct in the Wild   Extinct  
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.  
                US Status Key 
                     Threatened in US    Threatened in NH    Endangered in US    Endangered in NH    Breeds in NH    Introduced 
                    Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game 
                
                  
                      New Hampshire Species  | 
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                     North/Central American Species  | 
                   
                  
                    Black  Vulture - Coragyps atratus     
                    Turkey  Vulture - Cathartes aura                 | 
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                    Lesser  Yellow-headed Vulture - Cathartes  burrovianus     
                      Greater  Yellow-headed Vulture - Cathartes  melambrotus     
                      California  Condor - Gymnogyps californianus        
                      King  Vulture - Sarcoramphus papa     
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                Additional Information
                
                Key:    Profile    Photos    Video    Audio  
                Andean Condor- Vultur gryphus                
                  The Andean condor is the largest raptor in the world. 
  Source:  San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School   
                Andean Condor - Vultur gryphus                 
The Andean condor has a white ruff around its neck.  
  Source:  Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School   
                Andean Condor - Vultur gryphus              
The Andean condor has a wingspan of up to 10½ feet. 
Source:  National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School    
                Andean Condor - Vultur gryphus              
                  Scientists believe that a only few thousand Andean condors remain in the wild. 
Source:  National Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School   
                Black  Vulture - Coragyps atratus                       
The black vulture  can often be seen roosting in trees or perched on a fence   post. 
Source:  Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School   
                Black  Vulture - Coragyps atratus                      
The black vulture   lays its eggs on the bare ground. 
Source:  Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School   
                Black  Vulture - Coragyps atratus                   
The black vulture is found from rom southern Canada to southern South America. 
Source:  Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School   
                California  Condor - Gymnogyps californianus                      
                  The California condor was once extinct in the wild. It has been re-introduced in California, Arizona and Mexico. 
                Source:  Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School   
                California Condor - Gymnogyps californianus                  
The female California condor   lays only one egg every two years 
Source:  National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School    
                California Condor - Gymnogyps californianus                     
The  California condor is the largest flying bird in North America. 
Source:  Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School   
                California Condor - Gymnogyps californianus                     
                  California condors do not have vocal chords, so they only make hissing and grunting noises. 
                Source:  San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School   
                California Condor - Gymnogyps californianus                    
                  The range of the California condor once extended along the entire Pacific coast of North America.
 
Source:  Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School   
                King  Vulture - Sarcoramphus papa                     
The king vulture has a bald head and neck with skin  that can be a combination of yellow, orange, blue, purple, and red. 
Source:  Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School   
                Turkey  Vulture - Cathartes aura                             
The turkey vulture has a bright red head and face. 
Source:  Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School   
                Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura                           
The turkey vulture is found throughout the the U.S., except for in Alaska and Hawaii.  
Source:  Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School   
                Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura                           
Turkey vultures usually roost in large  groups at night, but search for food alone during the day. 
Source:  Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School   
                 
                                 
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