King Vulture by danob

Photography • Creatures • posted on Mar 07, 2010

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Description

The adult King Vulture is the most strikingly coloured of the New World vultures. It is predominantly white, though its ruff, flight, and tail feathers range from grey to an opalescent black. The white plumage also has a slight rose-yellow tinge to it. It has a thick, strong bill that, whilst the most powerful among the New World vultures, is quite small compared to that of other large birds of prey. This bill has a hooked tip and a sharp cutting edge. The bird has broad wings and a short, broad, and square tail. Its eyes are straw-coloured and it has keen eyesight. Unlike some New World vultures, the King Vulture lacks eyelashes. The King Vulture also has a highly noticeable yellow fleshy crest on its orange and black bill; this caruncle does not fully form until the birds fourth year. It also has grey legs and long, thick claws. The vulture is minimally sexually dimorphic, with no difference in plumage and little in size between males and females. The juvenile vulture has a dark bill and eyes, and a downy, grey neck that soon begins to turn the orange of an adult. Younger vultures are a slate grey overall, and, while they look similar to the adult by the third year, they do not completely molt into adult plumage until they are approximately five or six years of age

Comments (37)

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flora-crassella

10:52AM | Sun, 07 March 2010

what an interesting bird!!!! Fantastic picture!!!!!

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romanceworks

10:52AM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Amazing! What a capture - what a face. CC

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RodolfoCiminelli

11:15AM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Absolutely impressive and amazing photo.......!!!

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adrie

11:46AM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Absolutely cool and amazing photoshot....very well capture.

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mariogiannecchini

1:03PM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Beautiful photo , interesting information !

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deweygg

1:04PM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Beautiful portrait of an awesome bird. I was lucky to see one of these in the wild in Honduras. Thanks for sharing!

garegaupe

1:19PM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Beautiful image Danny - the colour is fantastic.

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magnus073

1:31PM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Stunning capture here Danny and I must say the info is amazing on it

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carlx

1:32PM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Fantastic portrait and expression!!!

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zulaan

1:42PM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Beautiful face !

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bazza

1:59PM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Great capture of this guy Danny and very interesting info on it well done!!

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Erestorfan

2:25PM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Great capture! Very intriguing face...not something a lot of people see!

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jocko500

2:26PM | Sun, 07 March 2010

that some bird

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SoulEatar

2:41PM | Sun, 07 March 2010

Seems we have a significant # of viewers that some attraction toward Romeo here - I think Romeo there has some real issues - I know this creature has taken millions of year to become - Well - The political correct would say - this successful - To me his head looks like Franken bird - And doesn’t that look like Danny Deveto’s hair in back ! Well enough J LOL I enjoy seeing your work often - PS - My Night Pine photo was chosen in the 10th edition of Last Week in the Gallery Oh well - Take Care

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