First nesting record of Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) in El Salvador

Abstract

Despite the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) being one of the most abundant scavengers on the American continent, details of their reproductive biology remain unknown in some countries. In February 2018, we discovered a nest with two eggs in a natural rocky cavity in the Department of Usulután, El Salvador. Since that date, we monitored and documented the development and some behavioral aspects of the nestlings. At nearly 36 days of age, one of the nestlings disappeared, possibly due to predation; the remaining nestling stayed in the cavity during the following 4 months. The eggs hatched in March, in April the nestling had secondary feathers. In May the nestling started to grow feathers in the dorsal and frontal tracts of his body, and the plumage of the wings was complete. By the end of May, the juvenile plumage was complete and by the end of June we saw the juvenile outside the cavity, feeding with other Turkey Vultures. This specie is cataloged as a resident of El Salvador, nevertheless, no nest had been found in the country, nor is there information about the development of the nestlings in El Salvador.

Keywords

• aves rapaces
• biología reproductiva
• buitre del nuevo mundo
• usulután
• centro de rescate.