Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)

The gray, wrinkled skin on the head indicates these are adults. This species has expanded its range into the Arizona borderlands where it remains a sparse local resident. These are the only ones we saw. Formerly included with the Storks in the Ciconiidae family, but now placed in their own family the Cathartidae, the New World Vultures. Three subspecies differ slightly in size and the extent of white on their underwings. Arizona birds are the nominate race, larger with less well marked underwings. Some authors call this species the American Black Vulture.