The Role of Vultures in the Ecosystem

Vultures are far more than carrion-eaters. This review looks at how they are physiologically equipped to safely digest decomposing flesh, how quickly they can clear a carcass from the landscape, and how feeding habits differ from one species to the next. It also revisits the diclofenac poisoning crisis that devastated South Asia's vulture populations, along with its surprising knock-on effects for disease spread and human health, before closing with the main threats vultures face today and what can realistically be done about them. Every day in nature, large numbers of animals die, leaving carcasses behind. These carcasses are a natural part of the flow of matter and energy through ecosystems. How long a carcass remains in the environment depends on many factors, including temperature, humidity, the size of the carcass, and the presence and density of the organisms that feed on it. Organisms that consume carrion play an important role in this process, and among them, vultures are one of the most specialized bird groups when it comes to exploiting animal carcasses.