2. Introduction
● The american Black vulture or Coragyps atratus is native raptor to
the americas.
● Range is generally stretches from south america to lower united states
● Solid black body, though white spots are common. The bare skin of its
head is also black.
● Wing span from 137-150 cm. Body size can range between 60-68 cm.
Its weight as an adult can range from 1600g -2200g.
3. Life history/Ecology
● Habitat: generally found in woodland habitats. May roost in sites that
are close to water.
● Reproductive behavior: lays about 1-3 eggs in dark crevices. They are
monogamous and can stay with one partner for many years.
Hatchlings are cared for generally 8 months until hatchling is old
enough to be on its own.
● Migration: Very small numbers wander to Cuba, presumably from the
continental USA, mainly in winter.
4. Population status and distribution
● Abundance: There are approximately 20 million birds in its range.
Population increased between 1966 to 2014.
● Survival: Black vultures tend to live into their twenties.
● Carrying capacity: Not known
● IUCN declared “least concern” species; Not vulnerable to extinction
○ Vital rates suggest an increasing intrinsic growth rate.
5. Threats/reasons for management
● There is no potential threat to the species.
○ Species are viewed as a pest. Causes major damage on
infrastructure as well as be considered noise nuisances.
○ There is no worry of over harvesting. They are growing above
stable growth rate.
● The main consequence of overpopulation is financial increases in
property damage. Also an increase in property damage in itself.
● Main issues for NJ are property damage and noise nuisance.
6. Current conservation/ Management efforts
● Regulatory protection: Migratory Bird Act
● Habitat conservation and restoration:
○ Considered a nuisance species. Habitats are mostly along
highways, on roofs, and near farms.
● Restrictions, licenses: Migratory Bird Act.
○ The birds, their nests, and eggs cannot be killed or destroyed
without a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit.
7. Current conservation/ Management efforts (Cont.)
● Public outreach? Education?
○ WS State offices may be consulted for more specific local information. WS provides advice and
direct management to help people resolve vulture conflicts. Vulture management is
complicated and site-specific, so consultation with wildlife professionals is vital to
successfully resolving damage situations.
● What strategies are working? Aren’t working? In NJ?
○ Roosting vultures have been effectively hazed with red lasers. Effigies of vultures suspended
from a line (upside down) have been reported to be quite effective at dispersing roosts. Audio
hazing has not been found to be effective. Shooting-Effective, if proper permits obtained.
Trapping: Not practical, and permits required.
11. Conservation/ Management Plan
● Recovery objective: lower the survival rate of subadults and adults.
Management plan implemented over 4-5 years
● Population of 15000 considered stable and healthy.
● Success will be assumed when overall index of species have decreased
among sites in NJ. Also a survey looking at the overall damages and
viewing decreases in damage costs.
12. Conservation/ Management Plan Continued...
● Conservation/ Management strategy
○ Control survivorship of vultures by killing
■ Continue existing shooting regulations that manage black vulture
■ Allow hunting of the vulture in common habitats
■ Hire hunters
● Engage public
○ Pamphlets and conservation information to provide to locals
○ Communication to local and state officials
○ Seminars and conservation talks
13. Conservation/ Management Plan Continued...
● Stochastic population model
○ Sensitivity and elasticity analysis.
■ Focus on subadult and adult survivorship
● Cannot discern between the two
● Long term goal Implementation
○ Population will eventually exceed stable growth rate
■ Decrease initial growth rate lower than 1 (0.9%)
■ Stabilize the growth rate by relieving harvest stress on species
■ Continue current Black Vulture management
18. Future Prospects and Research...
● Still need reliable vital rate data
● More information concerning survivorship can lead to better
management plans
● Green roofs as alternative
● Better methods of public engagement
