wary of man's presence. Even at large from kills seldom do you encounter a number NEW! INTHE U.S.A.! of kings feeding. During three months of research on this species in Central From West Germany the field • •• Famous America I recorded only three cases of by Jack Clinton Eitniear more than five individuals feeding NEKTON PRODUCTS McAllen, Texas together. Not being terribly rare they ap­ NEKTON VITAMINS for pear to function better in smaller groups, 100% water-soluble-Used on which is rather unusual when one reviews a regular basis by the leading the social nature of the remaining six zoological gardens species of New World (Cathartidae) king . NEKTON-S-A superior multivitamin supplement with needed trace elements Ranging from Southern to NEKTON-E-Increases fertility the only true Northern , the speCies IS NEKTON-R-Intensifies colors rainforest vulture generally associated with the dense NEKTON·B 1O-Promotes growth tropical forest. Frequently observed NEKTON-T-for doves and pigeons feeding on domestic livestock it has adapted well to man's alterations of the Vitamins Especially for Canaries environment. Although the breeding re­ NEKTON-R-Brings out the REDS The hours passed slowly in my canvas quirements in the wild are not complete­ NEKTON-GELB-Brings out the YELLOWS blind erected in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in , Central ly known, all the nests thus far NEKTON has complete foods for Lorys America. I had earlier placed several discovered were in dense forests near -Hanging Parakeets-Humming (dead) goats in a nearby ravine in hopes rivers. It is my personal feeling that the Birds and Sun Birds. Just add water! of observing the feeding behavior of the specie's survival is closely tied to the Inquiries invited if your favorite pet king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa). Sud­ forest. Although a number of kings have shop doesn't have NEKTON yet. denly a great rush of air created waves been discovered in in across the top and sides of my blind. thorn forests they have not been record­ NEKTON USA INC. ed to have successfully reared young 1917 Tyrone Blvd. Soon the giant majestic black and white with its wing spread of seven feet under those circumstances so may be 51. Petersburg, Fla. 33710 and weight of over seven and a half simply existing and not viable. 1·813·381·5800 pounds was in full view. Twisting and It is interesting to note that the king turning as it descended, it displayed with vulture is abundant in areas where the great precision how these large birds of scarlet macaw (Ara Macao) can also be ...... prey have complete control over the found as along the Usumacinta River on winds and thermal currents. Having just both Mexico and borders, landed, the vulture walked with power­ and in the Guacamayo Forest Reserve in I CJ's Exotics I ful legs over to the carcasses and began Belize. In areas where the scarlet macaw feeding. has not been recorded for some time the Like the Indian king vulture (Sar­ king toO is only infrequently sighted as cogyps caivus) the American king un­ in the palenque ruins area in Chiapas, doubtedly received its title because of its Mexico. ~ behavioral attribute of displacing (being As the king vulture is not captured for I I dominant over) the other smaller the pet trade this is an excellent example ~P:I~i~~~: I i vultures. The American king also plays of how affects all of birds. I an important role in the opening of avian forms. The king is able to survive I · Imported birds larger carcasses therefore facilitating the with man (although at a distance and feeding on them by the other vultures only if man continues to mismanage his • Pet birds and feeding mammals. Being the livestock) but the scarlet, except for occa­ I.1. • Surgically sexed I only vulture that can penetrate the thick sional cornfield robbing, is not terribly birds hides of domestic cattle and wild deer adaptable. and tapir, I have observed countless One of the most interesting aspects of ·Nand-fed babies times, a number of smaller black and this species is its coloration. One of the • Local hatch babies I turkey vultures perched with crested topics under investigation by Niel Smith (wholesale only) caracaras above roadkilled . at the Smithsonian Tropical Research In­ I Unable to open the hides they awaited stitute in Panama is why large soaring Call or write for the arrival of the king. birds are the colors that they are. Cer­ current prices In areas of Mexico where the king tainly this is an interesting question. The vulture is no longer found, large animals king vulture upon maturity (which re­ are left to decompose by bacterial quires from 5-6 years) is mainly creamy (503) 253-4547 organisms if a wound was not created in white with half the wings, rump and tail the course of the killing of the . being black. Its neck is striking in colora­ Not documented feeding on , tion, being yellow, red, blue and purple Portland, OR 97266 I small rodents or fish, the king soars, in varying shades and getting more usually in pairs or alone, above the brilliant during courtShip. To top offthis tropical forest and adjoining areas. They "bewilderingly beautiful" coloration ...... 1 do feed on domestic livestock but are the iris is white. Both sexes are the same 48 ------~----

in coloration but the young (one is laid and hatched after 52 days incuba­ tion) are black in color with a brown iris and require a number of years to develop adult plumage. In captivity the species is fairly abun­ dant and has bred on a number of occa­ sions. A recently conducted census of vultures in captivity by the Vulture Study Group located over seventy specimens in the U.S. and Canada and eight facilities that had had success in breeding the species. The value of these captive birds far surpasses the obvious one of having a captive population that can be used to increase th~ natural one if problems arise. Such questions as the development of coloraton, age at first breeding, innate behavior patterns, and the effects of being over and under weight on breeding results can easily be investigated in captivity. In terms of vulture management and conservation programs these answers are of great value. For example, it is well Ranging from Veracruz, MeXICO to Argentina, King Vultures are often observed as llspecks in documented that Old World vultures the sky" as they forage over theirprimary habitat, the tropicalforest ofthe Americas. (Photo by during times of low food supply do not The American, Afncan and Indomalayan rainforest used to cover over 11 mtllion sq. km. but breed. If in captivity it is determined now with logging andshifting cultivations perhaps only 1 million sq. km. ofvirgin rainforest that a certain weight is required to remains. stimulate breeding, an accurate indica­ tion could be determined by capture and King Vultures require up to six years to attain adult coloraton,' weighing of wild birds as to their breeding success potential. For the past several years the Vulture Study Group has been active in vulture research, education and conservation on the global scale. At the recently held World Conference on Birds of Prey con­ ducted in Greece anumber of sessions were devoted to vultures of both the Old and New World. Vulture Study Group members play an important role in the organization and participated through­ out the conference. Anyone interested in funher details about vultures or the Vulture Study Group should contact John Ledger, Chairman, Vulture Study Group, P.O. Box 4190, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa or write me in care of this magazine.•

Photo I Robert Berry, Houston Zoological Gardens.

Young King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) 49