Vultures in Panama
There are lots of vultures in Panama mainly American Black Vulture and the Turkey Vulture but there is also the majestic King Vulture and the Lesser Yellow Headed Vulture. Vultures are scavenging birds, feeding mostly on the carcasses of dead animals. A particular characteristic of many vultures is a bald head, devoid of feathers. This is likely because a feathered head would become spattered with blood and other fluids, and thus be difficult to keep clean. The decline in vultures has led to hygiene problems in India as carcasses of dead animals now tend to rot, or be eaten by rats or wild dogs, rather than be tidied up by vultures. Rabies among these scavengers is a major health threat, India has the world’s highest rate of rabies, so vultures are very important to clean up and to keep us all healthy! You can find more photos of vultures here.
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- Turkey Vulture
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- Black Vulture
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- King Vulture