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Revision as of 23:43, 6 January 2015
Vultures are not Accipiters.
Quoting New World vulture:
"New World vultures do not form a monophyletic clade with the superficially similar family of Old World vultures; similarities between the two groups are due to convergent evolution. Just how closely related they are has been a matter of debate (see Taxonomy and systematics). Many now consider them to be in their own order Cathartiformes, closely related to, but distinct from, Old World vultures and allies (Accipitriformes)."
Vultures are not raptors (from the Latin word rapere, meaning to seize or take by force), they are scavengers and carrion eaters, and neither their physiology nor psychology/behavior correlates with those of true predatory birds like hawks, eagles, owl or accipiters. Source: 18 years as a state and federally licensed falconer.
"Vultures have historically been grouped with other raptors on the basis of their overall appearance. Often seen soaring high in the sky, they are often mistaken for hawks or eagles.
However, it has recently been determined that the seven species of New World vultures are more closely related to storks than to the hawks and eagles with which they were originally grouped. Unlike all other raptors, vultures are not birds of prey. They feed solely on carrion, preferring animals that have been dead for two to four days. This certainly explains why they, unlike all other raptors, lack strong, grasping feet and talons. Feeding on carrion has led to a number of other vulture adaptations. Long, broad wings allow for many hours of effortless soaring. The elevated hind toe and blunt talons allow for easier walking. Their bare heads keep otherwise-present feathers from getting dirty and specialized enzymes and bacteria allow them to eat contaminated meat."
"COMMON NAME: Turkey vulture
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cathartes aura
NOTE: While included here, the Turkey Vulture it is not technically classified as a raptor."
Finally, there is already an article on Accipiters/Accipiteredae: Accipiter. The information in this article would be best copied, merged or moved to the pre-existing article.besieged 23:43, 6 January 2015 (UTC)