# Cathartiformes

The Cathartiformes /kəˈθɑːrtɪfɔːrmiːz/ was a former order of scavenging birds which included the New World vultures and the now-extinct Teratornithidae. Unlike many Old World vultures, the birds in this group 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 based on DNA–DNA hybridization and morphology. However, a 2021 analysis of mitochondrial genes suggested a stronger phylogenetic relationship between Cathartiformes and Accipitriformes, and they are now normally included within the Accipitriformes as the family Cathartidae.

## Description
### Anatomy

Cathartiformes, also known as New World vultures, possess unique adaptations in their plumulaceous feathers that prevent the accumulation of bacteria and fungal spores, allowing them to feed on carrion without getting 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 through turbulent air currents. Additionally, the presence of feather pulp and melanin pigment in these feathers may contribute to their durability and resistance to wear and tear. These feather characteristics are distinct to Cathartiformes and likely play an important role in their unique ecological niche as scavengers.
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 dead animals, known as carrion. Most New World vultures are obligate scavengers, 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 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 3 feet (0.9 m) in length from a distance of 4 miles (6.4 km), even at altitudes of up to 3 kilometres (9,800 ft). Their hearing is similarly acute, with a range of around 5,000 Hz and a threshold of 20 dB.

## Types

The extant species of the Cathartiformes order fall into two primary clades. The first consists of the black vulture, the turkey vulture, and the two yellow-headed vulture species, while the second consists of the California condor, the Andean condor, and the king vulture.
The black vulture (Coragyps atratus) has a large, jet-black body, short black tail, white primary patches, and whitish legs. They live in open habitats along the edges of forests. The length of their bodies is 59–74 cm, with a wingspan of 141–160 cm and weight of 1.7–2.3 kg. Their behaviors include feeding off large carcasses by following other scavengers to the source of food, but they also occasionally hunt live prey.
Turkey vultures, (Cathartes aura) (Greek katartes, "purifier", aura, from Latin aurum, "gold"), are large brownish-black vultures with two-toned colors on the underside of their wings. Grown adults have a bald red or pink head. There are three other subspecies of turkey vulture located throughout North and Central America. Their length can be 62–72 cm, wingspan 160–181 cm, and weight 1.6-2.4 kg. Behavior includes locating food by smell and sight. They usually feed on carrion, but sometimes catch fish and attack living creatures.
Lesser yellow-headed vultures (Cathartes burrovianus) are large, slender black vultures. They typically have two-toned wings as well, yet there can be some yellow coloring on their heads. Wingtips go beyond the tip of their tail. Length of 53–65 cm, wingspan 150–165 cm, and weight 0.9-1.6 kg. They live within marshes, savannas and mangroves and are common in wetlands of the Caribbean slope of Mexico to Nicaragua, They tend to fly lower within open wetland looking for carrion through sight and smell and spend lots of time perched on lower ground.
The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the largest land bird found in North America. They are black with white patches under the wings, and a narrow white patch on the upper side of the wings. Their tails are short and square like. They reside within the Baja California mountains and northern Arizona/southern Utah, and they feed entirely on carrion—especially larger mammalian carcasses. Unlike turkey vultures, California condors are thought to rely on their sharp eyesight rather than smell to find food, and they often spot carcasses from afar by noticing other scavengers gathered below.The condor waits until late hours of the night or early mornings to hunt their prey. They also use thermal to hunt as well. These vultures can consume an entire large carcass.