Creature Feature Encyclopedia: Aves

King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa

The King Vulture's striking black and white plumage, combined with the strangely beautiful pigments of its head and neck, easily qualify this scavenger of tropical forests as one of the most colorful of all the birds of prey. It locates animal remains chiefly by virtue of its excellent sense of smell. Though fairly common from central Mexico to northern Argentina, the King Vulture is often difficult to spot because of its solitary nature and high flight altitude. The King Vulture is only slightly smaller than the stately Bald Eagle.

~A Fly in the Sky © 1996