Documentation of
Black Vulture
2009-055
Observer Information
Reporter:
Bill Maynard
1390 Farnham Pt. # 205,
COLORADO SPRINGS,
CO 80904-5215
E-mail:
bmaynard99@gmail.com
Other Observers:
Joyce Takimine, John Drummond and two others from Boulder, CO.; Ms. Metts, from Castlewood Canyon S.P. on 3 July first spotted the bird in about the same area.
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Black Vulture
First Date/Time:
7/7/2009
Last Date/Time:
Duration (total time in view):
15 minutes
County:
Douglas
Specific Location:
Seen from Holmstead Parking lot in Castlewood Canyon State Park soaring above the closest cliff to the west.
Number:
1
Age:
Unknown
Sex:
Unknown
Plumage:
Other/Unknown
Habitat
mouth of a canyon with oak and mixed conifer ridges and grasslands in the valley
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
both Leica 10x42 ultravid bins and Leica 77 mm APO spotting scope with 32 x WW lens.
Distance:
At 32x, the bird filled about 1/3 of the view in my spotting scope
Light:
Excellent. Light in the east illuminated the wings and tail of the bird soaring in the west.
Description of the Bird
This was a large soaring bird with broad mostly black wings, with silvery gray wingtips. The wingtips were fingerlike projections contrasting strongly with the othewise blackish bird. The width and coloration of the wings made it apparent the bird was a vuluture and not a raptor.
The blackish tail was short and squared off. The head was small and lighter than the black body, wings, and tail.
Behaviors: Soared without flapping for 15 minutes from 10:05 to 10:20 A.M. Used thermals of cliff for lift.
Call: none heard
Plumage: adult
Similar Species Discussion
Turkey Vulture
TUVU is longer-winged with different pattern underneath. TUVU has lighter longer tail than the bird I observed and shows a dark cross underneath with lighter contasting wings. Also, there were about 20 TUVUs for comparison in the area, their reddish heads apparent.
Zone-tailed Hawk has a banded tail and lacks the silvery fingers on the spread wings.
Previous Experience
I have seen 1000s of both species in the heart of their range in Central and South America.
Materials Available
No files uploaded.
Date Documentation Submitted
10/26/2009 2:38:00 PM