The King Vulture, known for its striking appearance, is one of the largest vultures in the Americas. Its colorful head, which features shades of yellow, orange, and red, makes it one of the most visually distinctive scavengers. This species has a broad wingspan of up to 2.5 meters (8 feet), allowing it to soar gracefully across a variety of landscapes. King Vultures are primarily found in Central and South America, from southern Mexico to northern Argentina, inhabiting tropical forests, grasslands, and savannas.

In the wild, King Vultures play a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping to dispose of animal carcasses. Their powerful beaks are perfectly adapted for tearing through tough hides and bones, enabling them to consume a wide range of dead animals. Unlike many vultures, which rely on scent to locate food, the King Vulture relies primarily on its keen eyesight, enabling it to spot carcasses from great distances.

This hunting strategy ensures it remains a top scavenger in its environment.

King Vultures are known for their social behavior, often feeding in groups with other vultures and scavengers. Despite their intimidating size, they are relatively calm and not aggressive toward other species. Their role in the food chain as clean-up specialists helps prevent the spread of disease by ensuring that decaying carcasses are swiftly removed from the environment, making them indispensable members of the ecosystem.

Source: Birds of the World database, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.