New World vultures (Cathartidae)
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus. Carrion, located by following Turkey Vultures.
New World vultures (Cathartidae)Black VultureCoragyps atratus
- Scientific name
- Coragyps atratus
- Length
- 23.6–26.8 in
- Weight
- 56.4–77.6 oz
- Nest
- Eggs on the floor of a cave, thicket or abandoned building
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 1–3 eggs
- Incubation
- 28–41 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Sooty black with a bare grey-black head
- Short square tail and white wingtip patches
- Quick, choppy wingbeats
Voice
Hisses and grunts only.
Diet and feeding
Carrion, located by following Turkey Vultures.
What do black vultures eat? · Best feeder for black vultures
Black Vultures by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | January–June |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | January–June |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Florida | Year-round resident | January–June |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | January–June |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | January–June |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | January–June |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | February–June |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | February–June |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | February–June |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | January–June |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Texas | Year-round resident | January–June |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | February–June |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | February–June |
Frequently asked
What do black vultures eat?
Carrion, located by following Turkey Vultures. At feeders: none — never put out meat.
How big is a Black Vulture?
23.6–26.8 in long and 56.4–77.6 oz.
Do black vultures use birdhouses?
No. Eggs on the floor of a cave, thicket or abandoned building.
Sources
- Black Vulture — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black Vulture life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black Vulture — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.