King vulture Sarcoramphus papa
Taxonomy
Scientific name:
Sarcoramphus papa
Family:
Cathartidae
Genus:
Sarcoramphus
Species:
Papa
Common names:
King vulture
Biology
Morphology:
71 – 81.5 cm length, with a wingspan of aprox 1.93m and weighs between 8 y 14 kg. All his body is an ash black color, with mottled white auxiliary plumage. The skin shades of red and purple on the bald head, vivid orange on the neck and yellow on the throat.
Reproduction:
Mate for life, nests in trunk cavities in lowlands and breed during dry season, laying a single white egg.
Diet:
Feeds on carrion and tracks carcass through smell
Ecology
Range:
From northeast Mexico to north Argentina.
Habitat:
tropical lowland forest as well as savannas and grasslands near this type of forest
Threats
Illegal trafficking, deforestation, even intoxication due to contamination and eating poisoned animals.
Risk Category: IUCN Red List: Least concern.