New World Vultures: Cathartidae

New World vultures are scavengers, eating carrion rather than killing their own food. They wait for other animals, or cars, to kill their food. They also eat animals that die from disease or old age. They usually find their food while soaring high in the air. If they see other vultures flying down or eating on the ground, they try to join them. The biggest birds, the condors and king vultures, can tear apart the hides of large mammals. But most of these vultures get at the meat through natural openings, such as the mouths and eyes. Or, if an animal has been killed by a wolf or other predator, they may watch and wait until the predator leaves and then take their turn.