• Body Mass 4-4.5 lbs
• Wingspan 50-69 in
• Have black wrinkled bare skin on the head and neck
• Have weak feet and weak bills
• A large white patch on the under surface of the wing distinguishes them from other types of vultures
• Have been observed to live as long as 21 years in captivity

The black vulture is a monogamous breeder that hatches one brood per breeding season. They lay their eggs in hollow bases of trees or stumps, on the floor of shallow caves, on cliff edges and under dense vegetation. The eggs are pale grey-green or pale blue with brown splotches. Both parents incubate the eggs for 32 to 41 days. The young fledge at 63 to 70 days old. 
 

The Black Vulture prefers an open habitat and avoids dense forests as much as possible. Such habitats include lowlands with adjacent highlands, open fields, desert terrain and even garbage dumps.
 

The Black Vulture has quick labored flight consisting of several wing flaps followed by a period of short glide.

This particular vulture hunts by sight rather than smell, and usually soars higher and later in the day as compared to the turkey vulture. The Black Vulture is more aggressive when it reaches the carcass, therefore, it effectively drives out other scavengers.

This vulture is usually silent, but from time to time it may hiss, grunt, and utter low barking sounds when fighting over a food source. 

The males of the species will court a female in a small group and walks around her with wings spread and rapid head bobbing. This bird is highly social and will form family units with immediate kin and extended relatives.

When this bird is startled, it will regurgitate any food it has just eaten in order to be able to take off to fly.

I have yet to see one in person so any personal observations are not listed. 
 

  Animal Diversity 
 Texas Birding
Encarta Encyclopedia
Microsoft Dangerous Creatures