Order Cathartiformes reported in Maine
 (Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Aves)

a project of
Maine Natural History Observatory
reproduced here with the permission of the Observatory

(updated 10 March 2025)



You are invited to send to info@vfthomas.com additions/corrections to the list of birds in Order Cathartiformes as well as information for the tabular key at the bottom of this page that will help distinguish one species from another.


In Maine, 2 species in 2 genera in 1 family (Cathartidae) have been reported.

If you know which species you have or are interested in learning about, click on the appropriate species link below. Otherwise, to determine which genus the bird that you are trying to identify belongs to, refer to the tabular key immediately below the species list.

Family Cathartidae
   Coragyps (1 species)
      Coragyps atratus - Black Vulture
   Cathartes (1 species)
      Cathartes aura - Turkey Vulture



Family Cathartidae (Pelican Family)

Key to the genera of Family Cathartidae reported in Maine
char. 1 char. 2 char. 3 char. 4 char. 5
Coragyps
Cathartes


Coragyps (common name?)
[information to be added]

Coragyps atratus (Black Vulture) - [information to be added]


Cathartes (common name?)
[information to be added]

Cathartes aura (Turiey Vulture) - [information to be added]
   
(click on an image to enlarge; left photo by Stanley Grierson)