Coragyps atratus: The mountain watchers

Living in the mountains near the forest area gives you the opportunity to appreciate a curious variety of flora and fauna. Every time I hike to the top of the mountain, the overflight of birds can be seen in the intense blue of the sky. However, it is not necessary to go into the interior of the mountain to get a close-up view of these watchers of the mountains. They are the masters of the heights, and they always show it with their majestic flights.

The specie of Coragyps atratus is widely distributed throughout the American continent from the United States to southern Argentina. They can glide long distances. It is known as the American vulture, but colloquially this bird is given several names depending on the region where it is sighted. In Mexico and Central America, it is known as "zopilote", in Argentina "jote de cabeza negra", in Venezuela, it is called "zamuro" and "gallinazo" in Colombia and Peru. It belongs to the order Cathartiformes and the family Cathartidae.

They are birds with black plumage, they can measure up to two meters with their wings extended, and weigh up to 3 kg. They can be seen in groups flying in mountainous areas with sparse forests. They usually form colonies.

They feed on carrion and some species of spiders, rodents, smaller birds, and reptiles. Their beak and claws exert so much force on their prey that they can leave marks on the skeletal remains of their prey.

These birds are anatomically designed in an intelligent way to survive. They have featherless caps on their head, which makes it difficult for bacteria and fungi from the carrion they eat to nest there. It also has a thermoregulatory function. They have a highly developed olfactory system that allows them to perceive over several kilometers the aromas of decomposed meat (cadaverine) but their olfactory cells are so sensitive that they detect the exact concentration of sulfuric acid when prey can be consumed or when it should be rejected because the concentration of this compound is high and can be toxic and deadly. Incredible, isn't it? According to this, we can understand that not all carrion is eaten. These birds are selective in their diet.

These birds may approach areas inhabited by humans to feed on leftovers, and shelter from rain and heat.

Coragyps atratus, being carrion-eating birds, it is recommended not to get too close because their plumage is abundant in bacteria and fungi that can be pathogenic for humans. For this reason, it is advisable to stay away when these birds fly overhead or flap their wings. Some studies have shown that these birds are carriers of toxoplasmosis and mycoplasmosis.

However, these scavengers, like others, are of vital importance in the food chain and ecological balance since they degrade the organic matter of animals into very small pieces that facilitate its degradation by microorganisms and fungi, providing the soil with the necessary nutrients (nitrogen, sodium, potassium, sulfur, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium) for the growth and renewal of the vegetative mantle.

These birds can be seen flying in solitary or in groups moving in circular form. This type of displacement is favored by ascending air currents, and according to popular wisdom, when these birds fly in circular form with a cloudy sky, it is an announcement that it will soon rain.

Its broad wings allow it to glide through the sky without expending much energy. It is also a way of locating food. If you carefully observe the flight of the Coragyps atratus, you will be able to distinguish a strip of white feathers on the front of its wings which makes a wonderful contrast with the rest of its ebony black plumage and the intense blue sky.

Watching these birds in full flight is hypnotic. The sensation of freedom they transmit is wonderful.

However, they always perch on tree branches to rest for a while.

One way to refresh themselves is to spread their wings for long periods, especially on very sunny days. It is truly a spectacle to see these birds in their natural habitat.

Whenever I walk through the forest, I am very attentive to their flight, but there are some that perch on the highest roofs of the houses like guardians of the mountain.

Thanks for reading. See you in next post!
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(Camera cell phone: POCO X3 Pro, Xiaomi)

Reference:

Ecología trófica y tafonomía del jote cabeza negra, Coragyps atratus (Cathartidae) y su comparación con otros cathartidae del noroeste de la Patagonia

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