Vultures are indiscriminate scavengers that feed mostly from the carcasses of dead animals. It is thought that their heads are bald because they are easier to clean that way. Vultures fall into two groups. Old world vultures belong to the same family as eagles and hawks and can be found in Africa, Asia and Europe. They find carrion using only their eyesight. New World vultures can be found in North and South America and are more closely related to storks and cormorants. American vultures have a keen sense of smell but do not have voices and can only emit weak hisses. Because they have weak beaks and are not as strong as other raptors, vultures rarely attack live prey except for helpless animals. They are graceful gliders and can remain aloft for hours at a time. When one vulture spots a dead or dying animal, others will fly in from miles away.
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Range: Worldwide.
Characteristics: Dark feathers, a baldhead, and long broad wings.