Raptors of Mexico and Central America
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© Copyright, Princeton University Press. No part of this book may be distributed, posted, or reproduced in any form by digital or mechanical PLATE 1 means without prior written permission of the publisher. TURKEY VULTURE AND LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE Two similar large aerial scavengers. Both locate carrion by smell and sight while in flight. 1 TURKEY VULTURE 2 LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE Cathartes aura PAGE 91 Cathartes burrovianus PAGE 94 Large brownish-black vulture that occurs commonly and Large black vulture that occurs locally in wet open areas. is widespread in most habitats. Adults and juveniles Adults and juveniles similar. Wingtips extend far beyond similar. Wingtips reach the tail tips on perched vultures. tail tip on perched vultures. Legs are pale gray to pinkish. Legs are pale gray to pinkish. a. Adult. Head often appears completely yellow. a. Adult. Head is red, beak is pale yellow, and upper- b. Adult. Head is yellow, red, and pale blue and can parts are brownish-black. appear mostly red when vultures are excited. Beak is b. Juvenile. Similar to adult, but head and beak are pale yellow. Upperparts are black. Note pale shaft dark; the beak has a pale base that expands with age. streaks on outer primaries. Brownish feather edges on upperparts are wider than c. Juvenile. Similar to adult, but head is pale gray, adults’. nape is covered with whitish down, beak is dark, and c. Adult and juvenile. Resident vultures in Costa upperparts are brownish-black. Note bright pale shaft Rica and Panama have whitish napes. They are a bit streaks on outer primaries. smaller than northern vultures that winter there. d. Adult. Similar to Turkey Vulture, but wings are d. Juvenile. Like adult but with dark head and beak. proportionally longer and narrower. Note the yellow e. Adult. Head is completely red. Underwings are head. two-toned: silvery remiges contrast with dark under- e. Adult. Upperparts are black, and head appears yel- wing coverts. low. Pale primary panels show bright pale shaft f. Adult. Upperparts are brownish-black. Note red streaks. Note the yellow head with bluish crown and head. Pale primary patches are less distinctive than newer dark inner three primaries. those of 2, lacking bright, distinct, pale shaft streaks. f. Juvenile. Similar to adults, but with dark beak and Note that the inner three primaries are dark (newer). pale gray head. g. Head-on. Soars and glides with wings in a dihedral. g. Head-on. Soars and glides with wings in a dihedral. For general queries, contact [email protected] 02_Clark Plates pp024-087.indd 24 12/09/2016 11:22 © Copyright, Princeton University Press. No part of this book may be distributed, posted, or reproduced in any form by digital or mechanical means without prior written permission of the publisher. 1a 2b 2a 1b 2c 1c 2d 1e 1d 2f 2e 1f 2g 1g For general queries, contact [email protected] 02_Clark Plates pp024-087.indd 25 12/09/2016 11:23.