Bird of the Week 2: Black Vulture

Look up to the sky on any warm day and you often catch a glimpse of black vultures soaring overhead. Black vultures are impressive black birds with sooty gray, featherless heads and legs. With wings outstretched, the tips of their primary wings look like they’ve been dipped in silvery paint. They have distinct flight patterns, which makes them recognizable even when identifying from far away.

These birds may not be the most beautiful, but they provide a vital service in ecosystems; can you guess what it is? They are the "clean up crew" of the natural world. And that special role has everything to do with the way they are built.

Watch as our staff takes us on a virtual tour through the anatomy behind a black vulture's skull. Then, read about the vultures of NJ and use your knowledge from both the video and reading to complete the worksheets.

Download the worksheet PDF here.

This resource was created by Von Scully, Joanne Vogel, and Kate Reilly.