The American black vulture (Coragyps atratus) is pretty widespread across the New World, though their territory doesn't reach the same northern and southern extremes of its cousin, the turkey vulture. Unlike many other vulture species, these birds usually lay their eggs on the ground (which is probably why you see these two-week-old chicks huddled on the ground). They don't even bother much with making a nest, though sometimes they'll decorate the egg spot with colorful bits of plastic or glass or bottle caps.
I wonder what they used for decor before I started throwing my garbage out my car window...
Thanks for the photo, Clair.
[Image]
posted by Raging Wombat at 12:46 PM on Jul 13, 2009
6 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formthey look nothing like vultures! They're cute, but too bad vultures gross me out :-/
July 16, 2009
I refute your claim of ugly and replace it with my claim of cute!
July 17, 2009
You won't think they are so cute when they are projectile regurgitating their food on you.
I promise.
July 17, 2009
@Anonymous: perhaps not, but it IS a nifty defense system. I wonder if I could get away with it the next time some jerk starts bothering me.
July 17, 2009
Speaking of cool defense systems, before they regurgitate they make a noise that, while called a "hiss", sounds more like a rattlesnake.
July 17, 2009
They are looking so innocent you can't comment them ugly.
peter
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July 20, 2009