Photo: Renato Augusto Martins / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
King Vulture
Sarcoramphus papa
King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) — Birds of Prey of Central America & Caribbean.
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The King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) is a member of the Cathartidae family found in Central America & Caribbean and South America. Adults weigh 3.4 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Accipitriformes
- Family Cathartidae New World Vultures
- Genus Sarcoramphus
- Species papa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 3.4 kg
- Diet
- Scavengers
- Family
- Cathartidae
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The King Vulture feeds largely by scavenging carrion.
Behaviour
A bird of open forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The King Vulture is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) is a species of bird in the Cathartidae family, part of the order Accipitriformes. Its range spans Central America & Caribbean and South America. Its distribution covers MA, SA Mexico to n Argentina.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 3.4 kg, with a wing length of about 50.8 cm and a tail of around 23.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 14.3 million km² — a very large global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the King Vulture?
The King Vulture is a very large bird that weighs around 3.4 kg.
Where does the King Vulture live?
The King Vulture is found across Central America & Caribbean and South America with a range covering MA, SA Mexico to n Argentina, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the King Vulture belong to?
The King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) belongs to the Cathartidae family, in the order Accipitriformes.
What does the King Vulture eat?
The King Vulture feeds largely by scavenging carrion.
Does the King Vulture migrate?
The King Vulture is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the King Vulture endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the King Vulture's range?
The King Vulture has a mapped global range of about 14.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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