Bocas Species Database

Habitat: This species can be found in lowlands and foothills.   Distribution: The King vulture has been reported from southern Mexico to Bolivia, northern Argentina and Uruguay.   Natural History Notes: You will usually see this species soaring high overhead and very occasionally perched. They are usually alone or sometimes in pairs. Conservation status according to IUCN 2008 Red list: Least Concern (LC). It is a resident species.   Characteristics: The total length of this species varies between 76 cm and 86 cm (measured from tip of bill to end of tail). This very large vulture has a bill that confers him a very particular appearance, almost comic. The rump is creamy white and black, as well as the tail and the flight feathers. The head and the neck do not have feathers and are multicolored. The wings are wide and flat and the short is fairly small. The bill has a hooked tip and a sharp cutting edge. The King Vulture also has a highly noticeable yellow fleshy crest on its orange and black bill.