Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) are large raptors. They have small heads and narrow but strongly hooked bills. The bare skin of the head is black.

There are two types of vultures in Georgia, black vultures and turkey vultures. Turkey vultures have red skin on their head. At Trinity Lakes, both types of vultures can be found.

One-on-one at a carcass, black vultures lose out to the slightly larger turkey vulture. But flocks of black vultures can quickly take over a carcass and drive the more solitary turkey vultures away.

Vultures play an essential role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. These birds pick decaying carcasses clean which help prevent disease outbreaks. A world without vultures would be an awful place filled with disease and decay.