Black Vultures in Southern Ohio: Investigating the Distribution and Behaviors of Coragyps atratus
University
Shawnee State University
Major
Biology
Presentation Types
Oral Presentation
Keywords:
Black vultures, Behaviors, Distribution
Abstract
Black vultures (Coragyps atratus), once non-existent in Ohio, now occur in high abundance in various locations throughout Ohio. Black vultures have experienced northward range expansions in both the 1870s and 1950s, with another likely occurring at present. Due to these expansions, this species has been coming into contact more frequently with humans, which is problematic due to their pest-like behaviors, such as preying on newborn livestock. Despite this, much remains unknown about the species, including why these range expansions have occurred. Our research seeks to provide a better understanding by investigating the distribution and behaviors of C. atratus throughout southern Ohio. Distribution investigation includes weekly site visitations throughout five counties, iNaturalist data, and eBird data. Two large C. atratus flocks in Ross and Clermont counties have been selected for behavioral profiling, and each site is visited for one hour each week to determine abundance and for behavioral profiling analysis.
Faculty Mentor Name
Sarah Minter
Faculty Mentor Title
Associate Professor of Biology
Faculty Mentor Academic Department
Natural Sciences
Recommended Citation
Corvus, Shasta, "Black Vultures in Southern Ohio: Investigating the Distribution and Behaviors of Coragyps atratus" (2019). Celebration of Scholarship. 2.
https://digitalcommons.shawnee.edu/cos/2019/day1trusteeaward/2
Location
LIB 204
Black Vultures in Southern Ohio: Investigating the Distribution and Behaviors of Coragyps atratus
LIB 204
Black vultures (Coragyps atratus), once non-existent in Ohio, now occur in high abundance in various locations throughout Ohio. Black vultures have experienced northward range expansions in both the 1870s and 1950s, with another likely occurring at present. Due to these expansions, this species has been coming into contact more frequently with humans, which is problematic due to their pest-like behaviors, such as preying on newborn livestock. Despite this, much remains unknown about the species, including why these range expansions have occurred. Our research seeks to provide a better understanding by investigating the distribution and behaviors of C. atratus throughout southern Ohio. Distribution investigation includes weekly site visitations throughout five counties, iNaturalist data, and eBird data. Two large C. atratus flocks in Ross and Clermont counties have been selected for behavioral profiling, and each site is visited for one hour each week to determine abundance and for behavioral profiling analysis.