lesser yellow headed vulture lesser yellow headed vulture known savannah vulture species bird new world vulture family considered species greater yellow headed vulture split found mexico central_america south_america wet flooded lowland grassland swamps heavily degraded forest large bird wingspan centimetres body plumage black head neck pale orange red blue areas lacks limited low lesser yellow headed vulture feeds sight smell ability rare birds dependent larger king vulture open hides larger animal bill strong like lesser yellow headed vulture utilizes stay aloft minimal effort lays eggs flat surfaces floors caves stumps feeds young taxonomy lesser yellow headed vulture described recognized having subspecies described austrian august von larger found argentina north colombia nominate subspecies smaller found northwestern south_america central_america mexico lesser yellow headed vulture genus means form greek common vulture derived latin word means reference feeding habits exact taxonomic placement lesser yellow headed vulture remaining species remains unclear similar appearance similar ecological roles evolved different ancestors different parts world different currently debate earlier authorities suggesting new world closely related recent authorities maintain overall position order old world place order removed new world instead placed notes possible like lesser yellow headed vulture number description lesser yellow headed vulture length wingspan tail length weight ranges plumage black green throat sides head head neck bare feathers skin yellow reddish forehead gray blue crown eyes red legs white flesh colored eye single incomplete row upper lid rows lower lid tail rounded relatively short vulture tip closed wing extends tail immature lesser yellow headed plumage head white thick rounded hooked tip toes long small bases adapted opening longitudinal nostrils lack like new world lesser yellow headed vulture lacks unable sound low differs appearance similar greater yellow headed vulture ways smaller heavily built greater yellow headed vulture shorter thinner tail plumage greater yellow headed vulture dark glossy black plumage legs lighter color head orange tinged yellow head greater yellow headed vulture flight steady greater yellow headed vulture lesser yellow headed vulture prefers live opposed preferred forest habitat greater yellow headed vulture greater yellow headed vulture similar turkey vulture distribution habitat found argentina belize brazil chile colombia costa_rica ecuador el_salvador french guatemala honduras mexico nicaragua panama peru venezuela natural habitats subtropical tropical wet flooded lowland grassland swamps heavily degraded forest dry fields generally found high altitude regions bird crow like aspect gave foot naming los black vulture turkey vulture ecology behavior lesser yellow headed vulture flies wings held position low altitude wetlands locating food fence posts low flying travels rarely found groups flight lesser yellow headed example static soaring flight uses maintain altitude need wings vulture rarely high air preferring low altitudes bird believed somewhat migratory response changes water level lives lesser yellow headed vulture like unusual habit legs cool diet lesser yellow headed vulture entirely eat animal known hunt food especially small aquatic animals marshes prefers fresh meat cut larger animal strong tear tough hide lesser yellow headed vulture longer feed piece meat state extreme decay contaminated like plays important role ecosystem breeding ground disease lesser yellow headed vulture keen locate ground uses sense smell ability uncommon world detecting scent gas produced beginnings decay dead animals lobe brain responsible processing particularly large compared animals characteristic humans injected engineers looking leaks follow foraging king lack ability smell follow lesser yellow headed king vulture tears open skin dead animal allows smaller lesser yellow headed vulture access food bill strong tear hide larger animals example mutual dependence species generally displaced turkey king larger size reproduction lesser yellow headed build nests lay eggs ground cliff floors caves hollow tree eggs cream colored heavily brown gray spots particularly larger end eggs generally laid chicks blind naked relatively hatching chicks grow feathers later parents feed young pre food chicks drink young months conservation lesser yellow headed vulture bird concern according iucn estimated global range km2 population individuals population trend appears stable
Lesser yellow-headed vulture