Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: VULTURE, BLACK

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AVES

Order: CATHARTIFORMES

Family: CATHARTIDAE

Genus: CORAGYPS

Species: ATRATUS

Taxonomic Authority: BECHSTEIN

Taxonomy References: 035 , 001 , 038 , 039

Status

NONGAME

Status References: 004 , 027 , 032

Habitat Summary

"Occurs in woodland and semi-open country. More common in lowlands than in upland habitat. Prefer nest trees greater than 20\" dbh."

Primary Habitat: "Savanna/Shrub/Woodland matrix"

References: 007 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 012

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Rare summer resident in south, casual winter resident in southeast *02*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BARRY MISSISSIPPI ADAIR
BOLLINGER ANDREW
BUTLER ATCHISON
CAPE GIRARDEAU AUDRAIN
HOWELL BARTON
IRON BATES
OZARK BENTON
PERRY BOONE
SCOTT BUCHANAN
ST. CHARLES CALDWELL
ST. LOUIS CALLAWAY
STODDARD CAMDEN
STONE CARROLL
TANEY CARTER
VERNON CASS
WAYNE CEDAR
WEBSTER CHARITON
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
DUNKLIN
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWARD
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
PEMISCOT
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
SULLIVAN
TEXAS
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 002 , 003 , 016 , 017 , 018 , 019 , 020 , 021 , 022 , 024 , 029 , 031 , 034 , 037

Distribution by Watersheds

Cuivre R.
Dardenne Creek
Meramec R.
Big R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
St. John's Ditch and Blue Ditch
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Area Bordered by Black R. and St. Francis R. South of Quintan, MO
Little Osage R.
Marmaton R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
Niangua R.
Gasconade R. from Headwaters to Big Piney R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
North Fork White R.
Black R.
Current R.
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork
Eleven Point R.
Spring R.
Indian Creek

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

Limestone Bluff and Cave
Wooded Riparian and Bottomland Hardwood
Savanna (Grass-Shrub)
Mature Oak-Hickory (9" + dbh, open understory)
Mature Oak-Hickory: (9" + dbh, dense understory)
Oak-Hickory Old Growth

References for Habitat Types: 003 , 005 , 008

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Forest
Upland forest
Dry Forest
Dry-Mesic Forest
Mesic Forest
Upland Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Dry-Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Upland Chert Forest
Dry Chert Forest
Dry-Mesic Chert Forest
Upland Sandstone Forest
Dry Sandstone Forest
Dry-Mesic Sandstone Forest
Mesic Sandstone Forest
Upland Sand Forest
Dry Sand Forest
Dry-Mesic Sand Forest
Mesic Sand Forest
Upland Igneous Forest
Dry Igneous Forest
Dry-Mesic Igneous Forest
Mesic Igneous Forest
Bottomland Forest
Savanna
Limestone/Dolomite Savanna
Chert Savanna
Sandstone Savanna
Sand Savanna
Igneous Savanna
Primary
Cliff
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Cliff
Moist Limestone/Dolomite Cliff
Dry Sandstone Cliff
Moist Sandstone Cliff
Dry Chert Cliff
Moist Chert Cliff
Dry Igneous Cliff
Moist Igneous Cliff
Caves
Dry Cave

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 005 , 007 , 023 , 025

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Carrion; Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 012

Adult Food Habits

Mammals; Juvenile stage
Didelphidae (oppossum); Not Specified
Mustelidae (weasel, skunk, otter, mink, badger); Not Specified
Carrion; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 007 , 008 , 010 , 014 , 015 , 026 , 036

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 008

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 007

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Natural features: caves, dry
Tree cavities
Number of snags specified in comments(00500)
Dbh of nest trees specified in comments(00590)
Downed logs
Human association: barns/sheds
Stumps

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 007 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 023

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
Floodplain wetlands: non-connected scour hole
Floodplain wetlands: connected scour hole
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 008 , 033

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
Floodplain wetlands: non-connected scour hole
Floodplain wetlands: connected scour hole
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 007 , 023 , 025

Niche Requirement Summary

Canopy height specified in comments(00575)
Dbh of nest trees specified in comments(00590)
Dbh of overstory trees specified in comments(00592)
Distance to forest opening specified in comments(00390)
Distance to water specified in comments(00430)
Downed logs
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Floodplain wetlands: connected scour hole
Floodplain wetlands: non-connected scour hole
Floodplain wetlands: remnant wetlands
Forest openings (clearings, treefall gaps, etc.)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Human association: barns/sheds
Natural features: caves, dry
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Number of snags specified in comments(00500)
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Stumps
Tree cavities

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
018 Clutch 1-3, usually 2 eggs *11,08,10,09*
003 Will roost and feed with turkey vultures *07,09*
017 Incubation 28-39 days *10,11*, about 38 days in VA *12*
099 In VA, parents brood young until 43 days old, able to fly at 80 days old, young remained at nest site until 91 days old *12*. Most roosting sites are temporary, usually with less than200 birds *07*, but some large roost sites are used year to year, as in VA, where 813 black vultures and 320 turkey vultures were counted *13*. Black vulture seems to soar higher than turkey vulture when hunting, often join turkek vulture when feeding *07*. When incubating, often reposition eggs within 1.5 square m space *12*

Life History Information

Territoriality: defends nesting territory
Periodicity: active in day
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)
Foraging strategy: scavenging
Foraging sites: ground
Mating system: monogamy
Nest/den site: secondary cavity (uses existing cavity)
Nest/den site: on the ground
Nest/den site: stumps
Nest/den site: log
Nest/den site: cave
Nest/den site: under rocks
Nest/den site: man-made structure
Nest materials: no nest structure
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litter per year: one
Development of young at birth/hatching: altricial
Parental care of young: both parents

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
018 Clutch 1-3, usually 2 eggs *11,08,10,09*
003 Will roost and feed with turkey vultures *07,09*
017 Incubation 28-39 days *10,11*, about 38 days in VA *12*
099 In VA, parents brood young until 43 days old, able to fly at 80 days old, young remained at nest site until 91 days old *12*. Most roosting sites are temporary, usually with less than200 birds *07*, but some large roost sites are used year to year, as in VA, where 813 black vultures and 320 turkey vultures were counted *13*. Black vulture seems to soar higher than turkey vulture when hunting, often join turkek vulture when feeding *07*. When incubating, often reposition eggs within 1.5 square m space *12*

References for life history: 003 , 007 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 012 , 013 , 023

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Forest - seasonal restriction of human use of habitats
Forest - maintain riparian habitats
Forest - maintain streamside vegetation
Forest - maintain old growth forests
Forest - retain snags/cavity trees
Grassland - maintain riparian habitats

Beneficial Management References: 003 , 030

Adverse Managment Practices:

Forest - application of pesticides
Grassland - application of pesticides

Adverse Management References: 003

Comments on Management:
An IL study recommended locating and protecting key nest sites *30*.

References for Management Comments: 030

References

Reference Code Citation
001 American Ornithologists Union. 1998. Check-List Of North American Birds, 7th Ed. American Orn. Union, Washington, D.C. 829 Pp.
002 Easterla, D.A., M.B. Robbins and R.A. Anderson. 1992. Annotated Check-List Of Missouri Birds. The Audubon Society Of Missouri.
003 Unpb Wilson, Jim D. Mo Dept. Conserv. P.O. Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)751-4115.
004 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
005 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
006 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
007 Stewart, P.A. 1978. Behavioral Interactions And Niche Separation In Black And Turkey Vultures. Living Bird 17:79-84.
008 Brown, L. and D. Amadon. 1968. Eagles, Hawks and Falcons Of The World. Vol. 1. Mcgraw-Hill Book Co. Ny, Ny. 414pp.
009 Sprunt, A. Jr. 1955. North American Birds Of Prey. Bonanza Books. New York. 227pp.
010 Bent, A.C. 1937. Life Histories Of North American Birds Of Prey. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 167. 409 Pp.
011 Harrison, H.H. 1975. A Field Guide To Birds Nests In The United States East Of The Mississippi River. Houghton - Mifflin Co., Boston 257 Pp.
012 Stewart, P.A. 1974. A Nesting Of Black Vultures. Auk 91(3):595-600.
013 Prather, I.D., R.N. Conner, and C.S. Adkisson. 1976. Unusually Large Vulture Roost In Virginia. Wilson Bull. 88:667-668.
014 Mcilhenny, E.A. 1939. Feeding Habits Of Black Vultures. Auk 56: 472-474.
015 Parmalee, P.W. 1954. The Vultures: Their Movements, Economic Status, And Control In Texas. Auk 71:443-453.
016 Duck Creek Bird Checklist. 1979. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, Jefferson City, Mo.
017 Birds Of Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.1970.Department Of The Interior Fish And Wildlife Service.Bureau Of Sport Fisheries And Wildlife.Refuge Leaflet 179-R3.
018 Comfort, J.F. 1975. A Checklist Of The Birds Of The August A. Busch Memorial Wildlife Area. Mo Dept Conserv and Webster Groves Nature Study Soc.
019 Heye, P.L. 1975. A Preliminary List Of The Birds Of The Cape Girardeau, Missouri Area. S.E. Mo State Univ., Cape Girardeau, Mo.
020 Heilbrun, L.H. 1977. 1976-1977 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 31(4):428-909.
021 Wilson, Jim D. 1982. Fall Survey. Bluebird 49(1):12-15.
022 Wilson, Jim D. 1983. Fall Survey. Bluebird, In Press.
023 Missouri Dept. Of Conservation and U.S. Forest Service. 1985. Management Of Snags And Cavity Trees In Missouri. Mo Cons. Comm, Jefferson City, Mo. 21 Pp.
024 Unpb Wilson, J.D. and B. Jacobs. 1988. The Distribution And Breeding Status Of The Birds Of Missouri (Preliminary Report). Mo Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
025 Thompson, W.L., R.H. Yahner and G.L. Storm. 1990. Winter Use And Habitat Characteristics Of Vulture Communal Roosts. J. Wildl. Manage. 54:77-84.
026 Yahner, R.H., G.L. Storm, and W.L. Thompson. 1990. Winter Diets Of Vultures In Pennyslvania And Maryland. Wilson Bull. 102(2):320-325.
027 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
028 Kingsley, N.P. and T.H. Nichols. 1992. Raptor Habitat In The Midwest. Midwest Raptor Management Symposium And Workshop. Pp. 185-194.
029 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
030 Robinson, S.K. and J.P. Hoover. 1995. Effects Of Landscape Fragmentation On Migrant Songbirds: Implications For Floodplain Restoration. IL Nat. Hist. Survey. Final Report, Project P-001-W. 150 Pp.
031 Jacobs, B. and J.D. Wilson. 1997. Missouri Breeding Bird Atlas 1986-1992. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Natural History Series No. 6. Jefferson City, Mo. 430 Pp.
032 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2021. Missouri species and communities of conservation concern checklist. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. pp. 56.
033 Unpb Ehrhardt, E. 1996. Abundance And Distribution Of Waterbirds On Three Habitats Of Missouri River Floodplain Following A Major Flood. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Of Missouri-Columbia. 126 Pp.
034 Unpb Big Oak Tree State Park. Bird Checklists. 13640 South Hwy. 102, East Prairie, MO 63845, 573-649-3149.
035 Banks, R.C., R.T. Chesser, C.Cicero, J.L. Dunn, A.W. Kratter, I.J. Lovette, P.C. Rasmussen, J.V. Remsen, Jr., J.D. Rising and D.F. Stotz. 2007. 48TH Supplement to the American Ornithologist's Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 124(3):1109-1115.
036 Kelly, N.E., D.W. Sparks, T.L. DeVault, and O.E. Rhodes, Jr. 2007. Diet of black and turkey vultures in a forested landscape. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119(2): 267-270.
037 Rowe, W.C. 2007. Nineteenth Annual Report of the Missouri Bird Records Committee. The Audubon Society of Missouri.
038 Chesser, R.T., R.C. Banks, F.K. Barker, C.Cicero, J.L. Dunn, A.W. Kratter, I.J. Lovette, P.C. Rasmussen, J.V. Remsen, Jr., J.D. Rising, D.F. Stotz and K.Winker. 2010. 51st Supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 127(3):726-744.
039 Chesser, R. T., S. M. Billerman, K. J. Burns, C. Cicero, J. L. Dunn, A. W. Kratter, I. J. Lovette, N. A. Mason, P. C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen, Jr., D. F. Stotz, and K. Winker. 2020. Check-list of North American Birds (online). American Ornithological Society. http://checklist.aou.org/taxa