King vulture
The king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa), is a large bird found in Central and South America. This vulture lives predominantly in tropical lowland forests stretching from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. It is the only surviving member of the genus Sarcoramphus, although fossil members are known.
| King vulture | |
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| The extraordinary head of the king vulture | |
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| Genus: | Sarcoramphus
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| Sarcoramphus papa (Linnaeus, 1758)
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Large and predominantly white, the king vulture has gray to black ruff, flight, and tail feathers. The head and neck are bald, with the skin color varying, including yellow, orange, blue, purple, and red. The king vulture has a very noticeable yellow fleshy caruncle on its beak.
King Vulture Media
Eleazar Albin's 1734 drawing which has sometimes been identified as a "painted vulture"
Urubu rei - Sarcoramphus papa
Side view of head, showing the king vulture's distinctive colorful head and beak
London Zoological Gardens, 2006
a beautiful bird - a bit out of focus. was half asleep and didn't have my settings right. love his wingspan - suprisingly graceful flier considering how ungainly he is.
Egg exhibited at Brevard Zoo
Adult at the Berlin Zoo
Cozcacuauhtli from the Codex Laud
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