Vultures

Elephants Foxes Frogs Geese Giraffes Gorillas Hawks and Falcons Hippopotamuses Horses Hummingbirds Hyenas Jaguars Jellyfish Kangaroos Leopards Lions Lizards Manatees Monkeys Moose Octopuses Owls Penguins Pigs Porcupines Prairie Dogs Raccoons Rats Rhinoceroses Scorpions Seals Sharks Skunks Snakes Spiders Squirrels Tigers Turtles and Tortoises Vultures Walruses Whales Wolves Zebras Vultures Alligators Anteaters Armadillos Bats Bears Bees Beetles Buffalo Butterflies Camels Cats Cheetahs Chimpanzees Cows Coyotes Cranes and Storks Crocodiles Deer Dogs Dolphins Donkeys Ducks Eagles Rebman Titles in This Series animalsanimals Vultures by Renee C. Rebman animalsanimals Vultures by Renee C. Rebman Special thanks to Donald E. Moore III, associate director of animal care at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoo, for his expert reading of this manuscript. Copyright © 2012 Marshall Cavendish Corporation Published by Marshall Cavendish Benchmark An imprint of Marshall Cavendish Corporation All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Tel: (914) 332-8888, fax: (914) 332-1888. Website: www.marshallcavendish.us This publication represents the opinions and views of the author based on Renee C. Rebman’s personal experience, knowledge, and research. The information in this book serves as a general guide only. The author and publisher have used their best efforts in preparing this book and disclaim liability rising directly and indirectly from the use and application of this book. Other Marshall Cavendish Offices: Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196 • Marshall Cavendish International (Thailand) Co Ltd. 253 Asoke, 12th Flr, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand • Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Times Subang, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited All websites were available and accurate when this book was sent to press. Rebman, Renee C., 1961Vultures / by Renee C. Rebman. p. cm. Summary: “Provides comprehensive information on the anatomy, special skills, habitats, and diet of vultures”—Provided by publisher. Includes index. ISBN 978-0-7614-4880-8 (print) ISBN 978-1-60870-621-1 (ebook) 1. Vultures—Juvenile literature. I. Title. QL696.F32R43 2012 598.9’2—dc22 2010016037 Photo research by Joan Meisel Cover photo: Top-Picks TBK/Alamy The photographs in this book are used by permission and through the courtesy of: Alamy: Krys Bailey, 1; David Tipling, 4; blickwinkel, 12; Wayne Lynch, 15; B.A.E. Inc.,18; Juanvi Carrasco, 21; All Canada Photos, 25; Maximilian Weinzierl, 29; Nick Hanna, 37; Peter Arnold, Inc., 41. Corbis: O. Alamany & E. Vicens, 26. Getty Images: 18th Dynasty Egyptian, 7; Wener Bollmann, 11(r); Theo Allofs, 11(l); Frank Lukasseck, 22; Tom Ulrich, 30; AFP, 39. Minden Pictures: Neil Bowman, 34. Photolibrary: Bios/Peter Arnold, Inc., 33. Stockphoto Pro: Krys Bailey/Marmotta Photo Art. 17. Editor: Joy Bean Publisher: Michelle Bisson Art Director: Anahid Hamparian Series Designer: Adam Mietlowski Printed in Malaysia (T) 135642 Contents 1 Scavengers of the Earth 2 Anatomy of a Vulture 3 Flight and Feeding 4 The Life Cycle of a Vulture 5 An Uncertain Future 5 13 19 27 35 Glossary 42 Find Out