Greater Yellow-headed Vulture - Taxonomy

Taxonomy

The Greater Yellow-headed and the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture were distinguished as separate species and described in 1964 by Alexander Wetmore; both species had earlier been known as Yellow-headed Vultures. The Greater Yellow-headed Vulture's genus is Cathartes, which means "purifier", and is Latinized from the Greek kathartēs/καθαρτης. The common name, vulture, is derived from the Latin word vulturus, meaning "tearer," in reference to its feeding habits.

The exact taxonomic placement of the Greater Yellow-headed Vulture and the remaining six species of New World Vultures remains unclear. Although they are similar in appearance and have similar ecological roles, the New World and Old World Vultures evolved from different ancestors in different parts of the world. Just how different the two are is currently under debate, with some earlier authorities suggesting that the New World vultures are more closely related to storks. More recent authorities assert their overall position in the order Falconiformes along with the Old World Vultures or place them in their own order, Cathartiformes. The South American Classification Committee has removed the New World Vultures from Ciconiiformes and instead placed them in Incertae sedis, but notes that a move to Falconiformes or Cathartiformes is possible.