Vulture
Vulture
Vulture (/ˈvʌltʃər/) is a term used to describe various species of scavenging birds of prey. The two types of vultures are the New World vultures, including the Californian and Andean condors, and the Old World vultures, including the birds that are seen scavenging on carcasses of dead animals on African plains.
Etymology
The word "vulture" comes from the Latin word vulturus, which means "tearer" and is a reference to its feeding habits.
Characteristics
Vultures are characterized by their bald heads and their broad wings. They are known for their excellent sight and sense of smell which they use to locate carcasses, their primary food source. They are also known for their role in the ecosystem as scavengers, helping to clean up the environment by consuming dead animals.
Species
There are 23 species of vultures in the world. They are divided into two groups: New World vultures and Old World vultures. New World vultures are found in North and South America; Old World vultures are found in Asia, Africa and Europe.
Related Terms
- Scavenger: An organism that feeds on dead organic matter.
- New World vultures: A group of vultures that includes species such as the Andean condor and the California condor.
- Old World vultures: A group of vultures that includes species such as the griffon vulture and the cinereous vulture.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vulture
- Wikipedia's article - Vulture
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