The King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) inhabits Central and South America as a large bird of prey.

It’s one of the most colorful and striking vulture species. It features a vibrant mix of orange, yellow, blue, and red on its head and neck. It also boasts black and white feathers on its body and wings.

King vultures have a wingspan of up to 7 feet and can weigh up to 8 pounds. They can glide effortlessly for hours. However, these vultures are smaller than their American counterparts, the Andean and California condors.

Unlike other vultures, the king vulture has a colorful, wrinkled head resembling a turkey’s. Its peculiar wattle also begins to grow to at least four years old.

The King vulture’s beak is sharp and powerful, which allows it to rip apart carcasses and access the meat inside. That being said, they are primarily scavengers and feed on carrion (dead animals) such as cattle, deer, and other mammals.

They have a keen sense of smell and can locate carcasses from miles away. Interestingly, these vultures also deter potential predators by making their nests emit a repulsive odor.

When feeding on carrion, king vultures will often gather in groups with other vulture species and consume the meat together.

In addition to their scavenging habits, king vultures are also important for their role in cleaning up and recycling nutrients from dead animals. They help to keep ecosystems clean and healthy, and their decline can have cascading effects on the food web.

Unfortunately, like many vulture species, king vultures face threats from habitat loss, hunting, and poisoning from the use of pesticides and other chemicals.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect king vultures and other vulture species from these threats, including captive breeding programs and habitat restoration initiatives.