Birds of Prey
Birds of prey are diverse and abundant in the Neotropics.
They range in size from the tiny Bat Falcon and Pearl
Kite to the majestic Harpy Eagle (all three species are
covered further below). Open areas, such as savannas,
are excellent places for searching out many of the larger
species, since some habitually soar on thermal currents
rising from the hot ground. Inside forests, birds of prey
can be elusive. Many, such as the forest- falcons (genus
Micrastur), sit motionless on a branch waiting for an
opportunity to attack would- be prey.
New World Vultures
Five vulture species (family Cathartidae), the Black
(Coragyps atratus), Turkey (Cathartes aura), Lesser
Yellow- headed (Cathartes burrovianus), Greater
Yellow- headed (Cathartes melambrotus), and King
(Sarcoramphus papa) Vultures, occur in various
combinations soaring over rain forests and savannas
(plates 15- 135– 136). Not really raptors, these birds
are strictly carrion feeders (though Black Vultures
occasionally kill small animals), devouring carcasses
(plates 15- 137– 138). Unlike typical raptors, vultures
have naked heads, a probable adaptation to reduce
feather contamination from carcass eating, and
weak feet lacking the typical strong talons of birds of
prey. Turkey and Black Vultures are among the most
ubiquitous birds in Neotropical skies.
The Black Vulture ranges from Argentina into
southern and central North America. Black Vultures
commonly congregate in vast numbers around garbage
dumps and are thus common city dwellers, urbanite
birds that work as sanitary engineers throughout much
of Latin America.
Turkey Vultures are named for their red heads,
which give them a superficial resemblance to the heads
of turkeys. Turkey Vultures fly with wings distinctly
upraised, in a dihedral pattern, a behavior that provides
them with outstanding soaring ability (plate 15- 135).
Turkey Vultures are permanent residents in the
Neotropics, but their population is augmented in
winter months as thousands migrate, mostly from
western North America, southward, along with large
numbers of Swainson’s (Buteo swainsoni) and Broad-
winged (B. platypterus) Hawks. Because vultures and
hawks migrate diurnally by soaring on daily thermal
currents rising from the ground, they must migrate
over land. Thus thousands may be seen in the fall
migration in places such as Veracruz in Mexico and in
Panama, particularly as they converge over the narrow
Isthmus of Panama (plate 15- 139).
Two other species, the Greater Yellow- headed and
Lesser Yellow- headed Vultures, are less widespread
and generally less common than Turkey and BlackPlate 15- 135. The widespread Turkey Vulture, showing its
typical soaring pattern of wings held slightly upward, in a
dihedral. Photo by John Kricher.
Plate 15- 136. In the air Black Vultures demonstrate a different
flapping pattern from Turkey Vultures and also have white on
the ventral surface of the primary feathers of the wing. Photo
by John Kricher.308 chapter 15 neotropical birds: the bustling crowd