Skip to content

Turkey and Black Vultures Were Found Up to 3,000 Metres in Chiapas but Were Most Common in the Lowlands

Turkey vulture perched on a thorny branch in Mexico
Research · Ecology

A study of four New World vulture species in Chiapas, Mexico, found clear differences in how they were distributed along an elevational gradient. Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) and black vultures (Coragyps atratus) occurred from the lowlands to the highest elevations surveyed, but both were more abundant at lower elevations.

Researchers compiled records from bird surveys carried out between 2003 and 2015. The surveys followed fixed routes, or transects, 2–3 kilometres long, with records from 693 sampling points along those routes. The data were grouped into three elevation bands: 0–300 metres, 300–1,400 metres and 1,400–3,000 metres above sea level.

Turkey and black vultures were recorded in all three bands. Lesser yellow-headed vultures (Cathartes burrovianus) were found only at lower elevations, while king vultures (Sarcoramphus papa) were more prevalent at mid-elevations and less common at higher elevations.

The authors note that ecological information remains limited for tropical vultures, including widespread species. They argue that standardized long-term monitoring is needed to distinguish temporal changes from spatial differences in abundance and distribution, especially because carrion availability is variable and difficult to predict.

Sources and image credit

  1. Enríquez, P. L., & Vázquez-Pérez, J. R. (2026). Distribution and abundance of vultures along an altitudinal gradient in Chiapas, Mexico. Avian Biology Research. Advance online publication.Primary peer-reviewed research article, first published online 23 August 2026. The study analysed records from 693 sampling points in Chiapas across three elevation bands (0–300 m, 300–1,400 m and 1,400–3,000 m) for black, turkey, lesser yellow-headed and king vultures. Turkey and black vultures occurred across all three elevation bands and were more abundant at lower elevations.

Image: Andrey — wild turkey vulture photographed in Querétaro, Mexico, 30 August 2009; Wikimedia Commons / Flickr; representative Mexican species image, not a bird from the Chiapas surveys · CC BY 2.0 · Source

About this content: This story was produced with AI assistance within an editorial workflow developed by Wildlife Vagabond. Editorial responsibility remains with Wildlife Vagabond.How AI is used

Ecology

SPECIES IN THIS STORY

Species in this story

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Explore species

Independent research and conservation news archive

Did you find this information useful?

Wildlife Vagabond is independently built and maintained. Voluntary support helps cover source verification, hosting and continued work on research and conservation news.

Support Wildlife Vagabond

The news archive will remain freely available.