Food Habits of Black and Turkey Vultures in Pennsylvania and Maryland

Abstract

In 1983 and 1984, we studied black (Coragyps atratus) and turkey (Cathartes %aura) vulture foraging behavior in Pennsylvania and Maryland by observing 21 radio-tagged vultures and collecting 134 regurgitated pellets. Radio-tagged vultures consumed 21 different kinds of carrion. Domestic animals were consumed more often (62%) than wild ones (38%). Black vultures fed more on large carrion (> 20 kg) than did turkey vultures. Remains in pellets indicated greater use of wild sources of carrion than did observation of radio-tagged birds, possibly because large, domestic carrion was more digestible. Sixty-five percent of feeding was initiated from 3 to 7 hours after sunrise. Black vultures fed earlier, foraged in large groups, fed longer at fewer locations, and fed closer to the main communal roost than did turkey vultures. Vultures'' use of domestic carrion makes the establishment of feeding stations a practical method of supplementary feeding. The 2 species may benefit unequally from feeding programs because of different foraging strategies.