Family: Cathartidae (New World vultures)

Authority: Linnaeus, 1758

Red List Category

Criteria: A4cde; C2a(i)

Click here for more information about the Red List categories and criteria

Justification of Red List category
Whilst highly visible, this species is naturally scarce with a small global population, which is declining due to direct and indirect persecution by humans. Mass poisonings in Argentina, Colombia and Peru, with suspected cases in Ecuador and Bolivia, threaten this wide-ranging scavenger. A further substantial threat is lead poisoning, which has recently been found to be widespread across its range. The species is consequently listed as Vulnerable.

Population size: 6700 mature individuals

Population trend: decreasing

Extent of occurrence (breeding/resident): 8,520,000 km²

Country endemic: no

Attributes
Land-mass type - continent
Realm - Neotropical
IUCN System - Terrestrial
IUCN System - Marine