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Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

Bird · family Cathartidae · order Cathartiformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Black Vulture
Photo: Wdiane, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
28 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
25 years[4]

The Black Vulture is a bird in the family Cathartidae, and its scientific name is Coragyps atratus[5]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide, and it is native to 28 US states and territories[2][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Black Vulture a global rank of G5 (Secure)[2]. In the United States its national rank is N5B,N5N, which means Secure (breeding) and Secure (nonbreeding)[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30[1]. It is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8]. NatureServe notes that declines were seen recently in the southeastern US and Mexico[9].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected

Where Black Vulture lives

NatureServe lists the Black Vulture as native in 28 US states and territories, including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia[3]. The list also includes northern states such as Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Vermont[3]. NatureServe also gives each of these states its own conservation rank, shown in the table on this page[10]. On GBIF, the states with the most observation records are Texas, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, but that reflects where people report birds, not how many live there[11].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: native, state rank SNRBVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: native, state rank S3ILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: native, state rank S3BNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S1B,S2NMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: native, state rank S3INOhio: native, state rank S2OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S4BPANew Jersey: native, state rank S5B,S5NNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: native, state rank SNRRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: native, state rank S4MOKentucky: native, state rank S4B,S3NKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S4B,S4NWVVirginia: native, state rank S4VAMaryland: native, state rank S5MDDelaware: native, state rank S3BDEArizona: native, state rank S1B,S3NAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: native, state rank S4ARTennessee: native, state rank S4BTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5NCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S5SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S1DCOklahoma: native, state rank S2BOKLouisiana: native, state rank S5LAMississippi: native, state rank S4BMSAlabama: native, state rank S4BALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5BTXFlorida: native, state rank S4FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[10].
Show state ranks (28 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
ArizonaS1B,S3NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
ArkansasS4Apparently Secure
DelawareS3BVulnerable (breeding)
District of ColumbiaS1Critically Imperiled
FloridaS4Apparently Secure
GeorgiaS5Secure
IllinoisS3Vulnerable
IndianaS3Vulnerable
KentuckyS4B,S3NApparently Secure (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
LouisianaS5Secure
MarylandS5Secure
MassachusettsS1B,S2NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MississippiS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
MissouriS4Apparently Secure
New JerseyS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS3BVulnerable (breeding)
North CarolinaS5Secure
OhioS2Imperiled
OklahomaS2BImperiled (breeding)
PennsylvaniaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
Rhode IslandSNRNot Ranked
South CarolinaS5Secure
TennesseeS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
TexasS5BSecure (breeding)
VermontSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
VirginiaS4Apparently Secure
West VirginiaS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for the Black Vulture, including hardwood, conifer, and mixed woodland, shrubland, savanna, grassland, desert, cliffs, cropland, riparian areas, and tidal flats and shores[12]. It is found nearly everywhere except in heavily forested regions, and it is more common in lowlands than in highlands[13]. Eggs are often laid in thick brush or on a rock ledge, and sometimes in caves, hollow logs, or among rocks[13]. In Maryland and Pennsylvania, birds nested in forested areas with no roads and no development[13].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[12]

Size, diet and lifespan

NatureServe records the Black Vulture as a carnivore, and it eats mostly carrion, which means animals that are already dead[14][15]. EltonTraits estimates its diet at 70% carrion, 10% warm-blooded vertebrates, 10% reptiles and amphibians, and 10% fish[16]. It also sometimes eats fruit and garbage[14]. The typical length is 69 cm (27 in)[17]. The typical adult weight is about 5 lb[18]. The usual clutch is 2 eggs, and incubation lasts 37 to 41 days[19]. The oldest known wild bird in banding records was at least 25 years 1 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[17] 69 cm (27 in)
Typical adult weight[18] 2.2 kg (5 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[20] 25.5 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 25 years 1 months
Litter or clutch size[21] 2
Gestation or incubation[22] 35 days
Female maturity[23] 2,920 days (about 8.0 years)
Food habits[15] Carnivore
Migration[24] non-migrant, local migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[16]

  • 70% carrion
  • 10% warm-blooded vertebrates
  • 10% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% fish

When to look for it

NatureServe records the Black Vulture as diurnal, which means active during the day[25]. Its migration category is non-migrant, local migrant, and populations can differ[24]. NatureServe says some populations appear to migrate in part, including the northernmost ones in the northeastern US and some in Middle America[26]. GBIF records in the United States are highest in January, March, and April[27]. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[27].

January: 372,891 recordsJanFebruary: 357,075 recordsFebMarch: 388,462 recordsMarApril: 465,032 recordsAprMay: 369,824 recordsMayJune: 190,286 recordsJunJuly: 152,208 recordsJulAugust: 170,455 recordsAugSeptember: 227,911 recordsSepOctober: 280,942 recordsOctNovember: 281,942 recordsNovDecember: 310,372 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[27].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January372,891
February357,075
March388,462
April465,032
May369,824
June190,286
July152,208
August170,455
September227,911
October280,942
November281,942
December310,372

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Black Vulture as present in 96 park units[28]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 72 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania[11]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Black Vulture endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide[2].
Where does the Black Vulture live in the US?
NatureServe lists it as native in 28 US states and territories, including Florida, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, and Pennsylvania[3].
What does the Black Vulture eat?
It eats mostly carrion, which means dead animals[14]. EltonTraits estimates its diet at 70% carrion[16].
How big is a Black Vulture?
The typical length is 69 cm (27 in)[17]. The typical adult weight is about 5 lb[18].
How long does a Black Vulture live?
The oldest known wild bird in US and Canadian banding records was at least 25 years 1 months old[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan[20].

Facts and sources

  1. Black Vulture is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Black Vulture: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Black Vulture as native in 28 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Black Vulture from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 25 years 1 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) is a bird in the family Cathartidae, order Cathartiformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Black Vulture is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe notes on trend for Black Vulture. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe state ranks for Black Vulture (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  11. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Black Vulture: Texas, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  12. Habitat types NatureServe records for Black Vulture: Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Desert, Sand/dune, Bare rock/talus/scree, Cliff, Cropland/hedgerow, Riparian, Tidal flat/shore. NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on habitat for Black Vulture. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on food for Black Vulture. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% carrion, 10% warm-blooded vertebrates, 10% reptiles and amphibians, 10% fish. EltonTraits 1.0
  17. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 69 cm (27 in). NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 2.2 kg (5 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  19. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Black Vulture. NatureServe Explorer
  20. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 25.5 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  21. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 2. AnAge
  22. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 35 days. AnAge
  23. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 2,920 days (about 8.0 years). AnAge
  24. NatureServe migration category for Black Vulture: non-migrant, local migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  25. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on migration for Black Vulture. NatureServe Explorer
  27. GBIF observation records of Black Vulture in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  28. NPSpecies park lists recording Black Vulture as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Wdiane, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.