Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

Year-round in CharlotteCommon

The take

Flat wings, quick snappy flaps, white wingtip stars — usually in flocks over town.

How to ID it

  • Large raptor with broad rounded wings held flat and a very short rounded tail
  • Uniform black with white 'stars' on the underside of the wingtips and a bare black head
  • Strong wingbeats followed by short glides give a batlike flight; soars in flocks, often with Turkey Vultures

Field marks at a glance

Size
huge
Head
bare black head
Call
mostly silent; grunts and hisses

Where & when

Year-round in Charlotte

Learn more

Sources