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King Vulture or Sarcoramphus papa The head of this vulture is nearly bald, which keeps the area clean as it eats and releases heat in hot summer months. King vultures have a strong bite which can open carcasses that other birds cannot, resulting in the King vultures usually eating first.<br />
King vultures cannot sweat to release body heat, so they defecate on their legs. As it evaporates, it cools the legs and the blood traveling to the legs is cooled and recirculated to the vulture&#039;s body. Geotagged,King vulture,Sarcoramphus papa,United States,Winter Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

King Vulture or Sarcoramphus papa

The head of this vulture is nearly bald, which keeps the area clean as it eats and releases heat in hot summer months. King vultures have a strong bite which can open carcasses that other birds cannot, resulting in the King vultures usually eating first.
King vultures cannot sweat to release body heat, so they defecate on their legs. As it evaporates, it cools the legs and the blood traveling to the legs is cooled and recirculated to the vulture's body.

    comments (2)

  1. Beautiful creature and great info. I love vultures! Posted 5 months ago
    1. Thanks Christine. Posted 5 months ago

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The king vulture is a large bird found in Central and South America. It is a member of the New World vulture family Cathartidae. This vulture lives predominantly in tropical lowland forests stretching from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. It is the only surviving member of the genus "Sarcoramphus", although fossil members are known.

Similar species: New World Vultures
Species identified by William Bodine
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By William Bodine

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Uploaded Mar 16, 2025. Captured Mar 14, 2025 13:09 in 3400 E Zoo Ct, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA.
  • Canon EOS R5
  • f/7.1
  • 1/332s
  • ISO500
  • 516mm