Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus brasiliensis)
29 January 2009, Savegre Mountain Hotel, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica
This abundant and widespread scavenger has benefited from deforestation.
Unlike the familiar Turkey Vulture which can find food by the smell of
decomposition, the Black Vulture relies on line-of-sight to find food.
Three subspecies are recognized differing slightly in size and the extent
of white on the underwings. Costa Rica birds are C. a. brasiliensis which
is said to be smaller and have more white on the underwings compared to
other races.
Some authors call this bird the American Black Vulture.
Panasonic DMC-LZ5 / Nikon FieldScope 3 / 30X WA hand-held (no adapter)