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Cathartidae - New World Vultures

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.

  • The Turkey Vulture plays an important role in its ecosystem by removing dead animals that could be carrying diseases. The turkey vulture breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Turkey Vulture
    (Cathartes aura)
    The Turkey Vulture plays an important role in its ecosystem by removing dead animals that could be carrying diseases. The turkey vulture breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
    (Cathartes burrovianus)
    The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Greater Yellow-headed Vulture is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Leastt Concern
    Greater Yellow-head Vulture
    (Cathartes melambrotus)
    The Greater Yellow-headed Vulture is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Leastt Concern
  • The Black Vulture is found from southern New York and southern Ohio south to Texas and Central and South America. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    Black Vulture
    (Coragyps atratus)
    The Black Vulture is found from southern New York and southern Ohio south to Texas and Central and South America. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The California Condor is the largest flying bird in North America. They are found in Utah, Arizona, and California. The California condor is an endangered species. There are only around 225 living in the wild and around 180 living in captivity. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
    California Condor
    (Gymnogyps californianus)
    The California Condor is the largest flying bird in North America. They are found in Utah, Arizona, and California. The California condor is an endangered species. There are only around 225 living in the wild and around 180 living in captivity. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
  • The King Vulture is found in Central and South America. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
    King Vulture
    (Sarcoramphus papa)
    The King Vulture is found in Central and South America. IUCN Redlist: Least Concern
  • The Andean Condor is the largest raptor in the world. It is found in the Andes in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Andean Condor
    (Vultur gryphus)
    The Andean Condor is the largest raptor in the world. It is found in the Andes in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable

Did You Know?

The turkey vulture is one of the seven species in this family.
The turkey vulture is one of the seven species in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

Black Vulture - Coragyps atratusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Turkey Vulture - Cathartes auraLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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