Black vulture (Coragyps atratus). Native to North and South America this vulture is, unlike the African and Eurasian vultures, not descended from eagl

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Black vulture (Coragyps atratus). Native to North and South America this vulture is, unlike the African and Eurasian vultures, not descended from eagles and hawks. Instead its shared ancestors are the same as those for storks. But in an example of convergent evolution it has formed similar solutions to similar problems. Its wingspan of metres allows it to soar on thermals looking for its food, which consists of the carcasses of mammals, waste from human settlements and small lizards and mammals. When startled it discourages predators and lightens its load by regurgitating partially digested food.

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Photo credit: © DAVID AUBREY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: american, animal, atratus, biological, biology, bird, black, carrion-eating, coragyps, fauna, nature, ornithological, ornithology, prey, raptor, scavenger, vulture, wildlife, zoological, zoology