Editor’s Note: The Black Vulture is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
This past week, CROW admitted a young Black Vulture (patient #25-2724) into care. Although the rescuer suspected an injury due to the vulture’s inability to fly, no wounds or breaks were found. However, its thin body and general weakness indicated that something was wrong.
Bloodwork revealed that this vulture is fighting an infection. CROW’s team started the vulture on an antibiotic to speed its recovery. It is receiving regular check-ins to monitor its progress. The vulture’s weight is steadily increasing, and it is growing stronger with each passing day.
Unlike their larger cousin, the turkey vulture, black vultures primarily hunt by sight. They are known to take advantage of the keen-nosed turkey vulture by following them to carrion.
Black vultures play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health. By consuming carrion, they help prevent the spread of disease that could arise from decaying animals. Their strong resistance to pathogens enables them to safely consume even severely rotten meat. This species is also known to hunt and kill smaller animals.
Black vultures are highly social birds, often living in large family groups that continue to care for each other well after fledging. Although they are slightly smaller than other vulture species, they can outnumber and even aggressively drive off other vultures at feeding sites.