Black Vulture
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0

New World Vultures

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

LCLeast Concern
Family
New World Vultures (Cathartidae)
Order
Cathartiformes

Overview

The black vulture (Coragyps atratus), also known as the American black vulture, Mexican vulture, zopilote, urubu, or gallinazo, is a bird in the New World vulture family whose range extends from the northeastern United States to Peru, Central Chile and Uruguay in South America, and common throughout Brazil where it can be seen in large scavenging groups. Although a common and widespread species, it has a somewhat more restricted distribution than its compatriot, the turkey vulture, which breeds well into Canada and all the way south to Tierra del Fuego. It is the only extant member of the genus Coragyps, which is in the family Cathartidae. Despite the similar name and appearance, this species is not closely related to the Eurasian black vulture, an Old World vulture, of the family Accipitridae (which includes raptors like the eagles, hawks, kites, and harriers).

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Range and habitat

Southern and southeastern USA southward through Middle America to central Chile and Argentina (vagrant only to West Indies).

Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.