New World Vultures (Cathartidae)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) - HBW 2, p. 39
French: Urubu à tête rouge
German: Truthahngeier
Spanish: Aura Gallipavo
Taxonomy: Vultur aura Linnaeus, 1758, Veracruz, Mexico.
Taxonomic status of all three Cathartes species rather uncertain; some forms currently considered races of present species may yet prove to merit treatment as full species. N populations of nominate race sometimes placed in separate race, meridionalis; those of Falkland Is and W South America sometimes separated off in race falklandicus; however, some variation clinal, and in general subject still poorly known (see page 25). Four subspecies usually recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- aura Linnaeus, 1758 - W North America S to Costa Rica; Greater Antilles.
- septentrionalis Wied, 1839 - E North America.
- ruficollis Spix, 1824 - S Central America (from Costa Rica S) and lowland South America; Trinidad.
- jota (Molina, 1782) - Pacific coast of South America (from Ecuador S), E Andes, Patagonia, Falkland Is.
- Least Concern
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An adult drinking in a stream New Island, Falkland (Malvinas) Islands (ssp jota)
Laurent Demongin 13 October 2007 2 years ago 24 sec 4.6 -
A bird sunning on a wood pole Guánica, Puerto Rico (ssp aura)
Juan Sanabria 31 July 2007 2 years ago 36 sec 4.6 -
Two adult birds in a beach, feeding on a carcass Ventura County, California, USA (ssp aura)
Don DesJardin 31 May 2002 3 years ago 15 sec 4.5 -
A close-up of an adult feeding on a dead Upland Goose New Island, Falkland (Malvinas) Islands (ssp jota)
Laurent Demongin 20 November 2007 2 years ago 14 sec 4.5 -
A bird with its wings opened, sunning on a wood pole, and flying off Guánica, Puerto Rico (ssp aura)
Juan Sanabria 31 July 2007 2 years ago 33 sec 4.4 -
A bird ripping off pieces of food from a dead dog Mouth of Lluta River, Lluta River, Arica, Tarapacá, Chile (ssp jota)
Josep del Hoyo 23 October 2003 5 years ago 37 sec 4.4
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Bird in flight Guánica, Puerto Rico
Bob Thompson 12 January 2010 32 weeks ago 4.3 -
Basking in the early morning sunshine Guánica Dry Forest Reserve, Guánica, Puerto Rico
Bob Thompson 12 January 2010 29 weeks ago 4.3 -
Standing on rock with ruffled feathers Guánica, Puerto Rico
Bob Thompson 12 January 2010 32 weeks ago 4.2 -
Sitting on a rock along the shoreline Guánica Dry Forest Reserve, Guánica, Puerto Rico
Bob Thompson 32 weeks ago 4.2 -
3 birds perched on rock Guánica, Puerto Rico
Bob Thompson 12 January 2010 32 weeks ago 4 -
Close-up of an adult in a tree New Island, Falkland (Malvinas) Islands (ssp jota)
Laurent Demongin 17 October 2009 35 weeks ago 4
- No sound recordings available yet
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