Feeding observations of a Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) and a Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (C. burrovianus) in Belize

Abstract

I present 2 noteworthy foraging observations of a Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus) and a Turkey Vulture (C. aura) in Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Belize, respectively. I observed a Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture successfully capture a live fish from the water and a Turkey Vulture feeding on feces of neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) along a river. To my knowledge, these observations represent novel reports for each species, and contribute to the understanding of the breadth of foraging behavior of cathartid vultures.