American Black Vulture

The vultures of Panama number four but the most prolific is the American Black Vulture which can be seen soaring almost any day, any where. They are clumsy on the ground where they tend to make short hops but once in the air they are graceful. They grow to about 65 cm (26 in) and are black although the bare head looks more of a dark grey shade. They feed almost entirely on carrion although they will kill small rodents given the opportunity. They are however not predatory by nature. If they take off from a nearby perch there is a noisy swishing of their wings.