Differences & similarities between old & new world vultures
Let’s start with the similarities that both groups share. Those would be:
Their diet. They all help up cleaning the environment, by feeding mostly on carrion
Most (but not all) have bald heads and either partially or entirely bald necks, an adaption which may help them stay cool, or is a way of hygiene. You don’t have to worry about dirty feathers if you don’t have feathers.
They all have fairly strong stomach acids, helping them eat rotten food without worrying about diseases.
Since they all have large wingspans, they can almost effortlessly stay in the air for up to six hours without flapping their wings.
Though, despite all of that. They are not genetically related and therefore and excellent case of convergent evolution. Both of these groups evolved separately to fill the same ecological niche.
Now, let’s get to their differences, both physical and behavioural.
Since New World vultures do not have a voice box, they can but hiss and grunt. Old World vultures however do have voice boxes.
New World Vultures do not build nests and will lay their eggs in protected locations such as old hollow logs, caves, abandoned buildings, on the ground in a thicket, or crevices of some kind.
Compared to the feet of old world vultures, those of new world vultures are weak, only used for walking and bracing against chunks of carrion. Old world vultures on the other hand have stronger, gripping feet with large talons. The difference in the feet affects the way they move. New World vultures are able to run, similar to a chicken, if they need to move aside. Old World Vultures, however, are unable to run very well and instead will hop or hop/flap for short distances when needed.
Old World vultures rely on sight to locate prey or carrion. New World vultures, at least three of them (Turkey Vulture, as well as the Greater and Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures) rely heavily on their excellent sense of smell. All the other New World vulture just follow Turkey vultures.
With the exceptions of Antarctica and Australia, vultures are found on every continent. The New World vultures are found in North- and South America and the Old World vultures in Africa, Asia and Europe.
Fact is, both old and new world vultures are an important part of natures clean-up crew, making the environments they live in a healthier and better place.
Artwork by: Peppermint Narwhal Creative
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