List of Birds of French Guiana - New World Vultures

New World Vultures

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carrion. There are 5 species which have been recorded in French Guiana.

  • Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
  • Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
  • Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus
  • Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes melambrotus
  • King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa

Read more about this topic:  List Of Birds Of French Guiana

Famous quotes containing the words world and/or vultures:

    What the Puritans gave the world was not thought, but action.
    Wendell Phillips (1811–1884)

    Lions, wolves, and vultures don’t live together in herds, droves or flocks. Of all animals of prey, man is the only sociable one. Every one of us preys upon his neighbour, and yet we herd together.
    John Gay (1685–1732)