Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus)

Adult: Large vulture with small, featherless head and large wings. Sexes are alike. Head appears reddish from a distance though the crown has bluish skin, yellow face and red neck. The rest of the body is completely dark brown. Pale tan feet and beak. Purplish cere. Bright blood red eyes that may appear black if pupil is large enough. Juvenile: Like adults except the head is a very pale gray with neck starting to turn red. Flight: Long, broad wings with fan-shaped tail. Very pale primaries and secondaries. Soars in circles and rarely flaps its wings. Habitat: Meadows, swamps, marshes, savannas, prairies, mangroves, dry fields and clearings. Range: Resident from coastal Tamaulipas and coastal Oaxaca to Panama. Because of natural reasons, ranges are blotchy and are usually found in isolated locations across Central America. Voice: Mostly silent. Never a call has been record though it probably hisses or grunts. Size: 22 to 25 inches long. Subspecies: C. b. burrovianus lives throughout the range. Similar Species: Turkey Vulture is slightly larger. Completely red head. Darker. Black Vulture has black head. Shorter tail.