The garbage collector of the bird world, the Black Vulture is especially versatile in exploiting human garbage and detritus. It occurs in open savanna, agricultural fields, and garbage dumps where it gathers, often in large numbers, to eat and roost. The nest is in a tree stump or dense vegetation on or near the ground. Often several to many pairs nest close together, and during the winter many family groups roost together in isolated tree groves during the night. Rarely this vulture will capture and eat small birds, mammals and reptiles, but its main food is carrion and human garbage. In the desert southwest, it is most often seen soaring over cliffs and small valleys on thermals as it searches for dead carrion.
The four-digit banding code is BLVU.
