The Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) is a large scavenger found across the Americas, from the southern United States down to South America. While generally considered non-migratory residents throughout the core of their distribution, populations at the northern edge of their expanding range exhibit partial migration. This seasonal movement is typically short-distance, distinguishing the Black Vulture from its long-distance migrating relative, the Turkey Vulture.
Geographic Distribution and Movement Patterns
Black Vultures are permanent residents across the southern United States, Central America, and South America. Their range has been expanding northward in recent decades, pushing them into areas like the mid-Atlantic and parts of New England.
Vultures in these northern latitudes, such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, are most likely to show partial migration. As cold weather approaches, many individuals move south to warmer states for the winter months, though this shift is generally short-distance.
Some birds remain in the north all year, only moving south when extreme weather forces them to search for more favorable environments. This movement is often facultative, meaning it is based on immediate conditions rather than being a fixed, required seasonal journey.
Identification: Black Vultures Versus Turkey Vultures
The question of Black Vulture migration is often complicated by the presence of the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), a long-distance migrant with very different movement patterns. The Black Vulture appears entirely sooty black with a bare, dark gray head.
In flight, the Black Vulture is identified by its compact shape, short tail, and distinct white patches visible only on the tips of the underwings. Its flight style involves strong wingbeats followed by short glides, resulting in a “flap-flap-glide” appearance.
The Turkey Vulture, by contrast, has a red head, a longer tail, and a two-toned underwing with silvery feathers extending along the entire trailing edge. It is known for its highly efficient, teetering flight, soaring with wings held in a pronounced “V” shape (dihedral) and rarely needing to flap.
Behaviorally, Black Vultures are highly social, often foraging in groups and following Turkey Vultures, which possess a superior sense of smell for locating carrion.
Environmental Drivers of Local Shifts
Since Black Vultures are not long-distance migrants, their movements are short-distance shifts driven by local environmental conditions. A major factor is their reduced ability to sustain flight in cold temperatures, as they rely heavily on warm air currents (thermals) to conserve energy during soaring.
Cold weather limits the formation of thermals, making long-distance travel energetically costly. When temperatures drop and snow or ice cover the ground, it also creates a scarcity of carrion, their primary food source. These conditions make it difficult for them to both fly and find food.
The resulting movements are typically short, localized shifts toward warmer microclimates or better-protected communal roosts. This behavior is a direct response to immediate survival needs. The movement ensures they stay within a range where food remains accessible and the energetic demands of flight are manageable.