Coragyps atratus
The Southeast, expanding north. Often with turkey vultures. Short tail and white patches near the wingtips in flight.
What does a black vulture look like?
Black, gray head, short tail, white patches at the ends of the wings.
What do black vulture tracks look like?
Not a track identification. In flight the short tail and the white wingtips are the marks.
- Short tail and white patches near the wingtips in flight
- Gray head, not red
- Flaps more than a turkey vulture
- Roost whitewash
- Track rarely useful
What does black vulture poop look like?
Whitewash at a shared roost. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
The Southeast, expanding north. Often with turkey vultures. Typical places: field, woods. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not approach a nest
- If a bird is injured, call a local wildlife rehabilitator
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Turkey vulture identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
How do you tell a black vulture from a turkey vulture?
A black vulture has a gray head, a short tail, and white patches near the wingtips. A turkey vulture has a red head and holds its wings in a V.
How to tell a black vulture from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Turkey vulture. Vultures rarely leave a readable trail. Black, with a red unfeathered head.
Black vulture field marks
- Short tail and white patches near the wingtips in flight
- Gray head, not red
- Flaps more than a turkey vulture
- Roost whitewash
Where the sign shows up
The Southeast, expanding north. Often with turkey vultures. Typical places: field, woods. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
Not a track identification. In flight the short tail and the white wingtips are the marks. Whitewash at a shared roost.
Common questions
How do you tell a black vulture from a turkey vulture?
A black vulture has a gray head, a short tail, and white patches near the wingtips. A turkey vulture has a red head and holds its wings in a V.