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  Profile

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  In flight

Vultures & Condors

King Vulture

Sarcoramphus papa

• legendary
• 1050 km/h
• Least Concern

At a carcass, every other vulture waits. The King opens tough hide others cannot tear. It eats first.

Population

10,000–100,000 individuals, declining (BirdLife)

Habitat

Lowland tropical forest and adjoining savanna

Fun fact

It finds carrion chiefly by watching other vultures rather than by smell.

Range

Southern Mexico through Central America to northern Argentina

Diet

Carrion

Size

0.75 m

Wingspan

1.8 m

Lifespan

30 years