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Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Migration Flyway

Showing primary migration corridor(s) for this species

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View on eBirdWikipedia

About the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

The lesser yellow-headed vulture (Cathartes burrovianus), also known as the savannah vulture, is a species of bird in the New World vulture family Cathartidae. It was considered to be the same species as the greater yellow-headed vulture until they were split in 1964. It is found in Mexico, Central America, and South America in seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, swamps, and heavily degraded former forest. It is a large bird, with a wingspan of 150–165 cm (59–65 in). The body plumage is black, and the head and neck, which are featherless, are pale orange with red or blue areas.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name
Cathartes burrovianus
Family
New World Vultures
Order
Cathartiformes

Similar species

Other members of the new world vultures family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

  • Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
  • California Condor Gymnogyps californianus
  • King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa
  • Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Know when the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture turns up near you

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Gear for spotting Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

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