Cathartiformes is a former

order Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * A socio-political or established or existing order, e.g. World order, Ancien Regime, Pax Britannica * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood ...

of scavenging birds which included the

New World vulture Cathartidae, known commonly as New World vultures or condors, are a family (biology), family of birds of prey consisting of seven extant species in five genus, genera. It includes five extant vultures and two extant condors found in the Americas. ...

s and the now-extinct Teratornithidae. Unlike many

Old World vulture Old World vultures are vultures that are found in the Old World, i.e. the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, and which belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, buzzards, kites, and hawks. Old World vultures are not ...

s, Canthartiformes lack talons and musculature in their feet suitable for seizing prey. In the past, they were considered to be a sister group to the storks of the order

Ciconiiformes Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. They belong to the family Ciconiidae, and make up the order Ciconiiformes . Ciconiiformes previously included a number of other families, such as herons and ibise ...

based on

DNA–DNA hybridization In genomics, DNA–DNA hybridization is a molecular biology technique that measures the degree of genetic similarity between DNA sequences. It is used to determine the genetic distance between two organisms and has been used extensively in phylo ...

and morphology. However, a 2021 analysis of mitochondrial genes suggested a stronger phylogenetic relationship between Cathartiformes and

Accipitriformes The Accipitriformes (; ) are an order of birds that includes most of the diurnal birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, vultures, and kites, but not falcons. For a long time, the majority view was to include them with the falcons in the Falc ...

, and they are now normally included within the Accipitriformes as the family

Cathartidae Cathartidae, known commonly as New World vultures or condors, are a family of birds of prey consisting of seven extant species in five genera. It includes five extant vultures and two extant condors found in the Americas. They are known as "New W ...

Description

Anatomy

Cathartiformes possess unique adaptations in their plumulaceous feathers that prevent the accumulation of bacteria and fungal spores, allowing them to feed on carrion without falling sick. These feather adaptations include a lack of aftershaft, a flattened shape, and a porous structure that allows air to flow through, preventing the retention of moisture and bacteria. Their feathers lack the interlocking hooks found in other birds' feathers, making them more flexible and allowing for a greater degree of movement. This flexibility may aid in their ability to maintain body temperature while soaring at high altitudes and navigating turbulent air currents. Additionally, the presence of feather pulp and

melanin Melanin (; ) is a family of biomolecules organized as oligomers or polymers, which among other functions provide the pigments of many organisms. Melanin pigments are produced in a specialized group of cells known as melanocytes. There are ...

pigment in these feathers may contribute to their durability and resistance to wear and tear. Additionally, New World vultures have a highly acidic digestive system that allows them to break down and destroy harmful pathogens in their food, such as those from decomposing carcasses.

Diet

Vultures primarily feed on

carrion Carrion (), also known as a carcass, is the decaying flesh of dead animals. Overview Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters (or scavengers) include crows, vultures ...

. Most New World vultures are obligate

scavenger Scavengers are animals that consume Corpse decomposition, dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation or have been killed by other predators. While scavenging generally refers to carnivores feeding on carrion, it is also a he ...

s, meaning they feed exclusively on animals that are already deceased. Their diet primarily consists of reptiles, mammals, birds, and fish, although they have been known to consume human remains as well. Their nature as detrivores plays an important role in the

ecosystem An ecosystem (or ecological system) is a system formed by Organism, organisms in interaction with their Biophysical environment, environment. The Biotic material, biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and en ...

by facilitating the removal of carcasses. Young vultures of the order Cathartiformes rely on their parents for food. Adult Cathartiformes do not have feet adapted for carrying food, so they feed their chicks by regurgitating meat and bone fragments.

Eyesight and hearing

Vultures possess highly developed eyesight, capable of detecting a carcass measuring approximately in length from a distance of , even at altitudes of up to . Their hearing is similarly acute, with a range of around 5,000 Hz and a threshold of 20 dB.

Species

The extant species of the Cathartiformes order fall into two primary clades. The first consists of the

black vulture The black vulture (''Coragyps atratus''), also known as the American black vulture, Mexican vulture, zopilote, urubu, or gallinazo, is a bird in the New World vulture family whose range extends from the southeastern United States to Peru, Ce ...

, the

turkey vulture The turkey vulture (''Cathartes aura'') is the most widespread of the New World vultures. One of three species in the genus '' Cathartes'' of the family Cathartidae, the turkey vulture ranges from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of Sou ...

, and the two yellow-headed vulture species, while the second consists of the California condor, the

Andean condor The Andean condor (''Vultur gryphus'') is a South American New World vulture and is the only member of the genus ''Vultur''. It is found in the Andes mountains and adjacent Pacific coasts of western South America. With a maximum wingspan of and ...

, and the king vulture.

References

External links

* * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Cathartiformes Birds of the Americas Eocene birds Eocene animals of North America Eocene animals of South America Paleogene birds of North America Paleogene birds of South America Neogene birds of North America Neogene birds of South America Quaternary birds of North America Quaternary birds of South America Extant Eocene first appearances