Class: Aves Order: Falconiformes Subfamily: Aegypiinae Family: Accipitridae |
Old-World Vultures |
Though they share a similar diet that distinguishes them from all other birds, New World vultures and Old World vultures are different in many ways. Old World vultures are classified along with eagles and other hawks (Falconiformes). New World vultures actually are more closely related to storks and ibises (Ciconiiformes). How did the two types of bird grow to become so similar? This process is called convergent evolution. At one point in evolutionary history, many different kinds of food were scarce, where carrion was plentiful. In order to ensure their survival, these two types of creature adapted their diets over time until they consisted almost exclusively of carrion. For years, the two types of vulture were classified together as Falconiformes, but recently, they have been divided into separate classes. |
Old World Vultures, being evolved from the hawk and eagle family, have very strong feet and talons. Unlike their New-World counterparts, they do not posess a sense of smell. |
