(Part of the) common name of some species of several genera in the family Accipitridae (order Accipitriformes) of the Old World and some New World species in the family Cathartidae. In gross morphology and habits the Old World vultures closely resemble the New World vultures, but on anatomical grounds that family is placed in a separate family. Two species of Cathartidae are called 'condor'. Old World vultures are large birds (1,5 - 2,8 m wing-span and 1,5 to 7 kg) and are all, except the Lämmergeier and the Palm-nut vulture, characterised by having the whole or a part of the head and neck bare (beside a thin covering of down). Most species have a distinct ruff of feathers at the base of the neck. Their bills are hooked and powerful, but their feet are weak and adapted for walking rather than clutching. The wings are big and long and the birds can soar for very long periods. Unlike most birds-of-prey, they show only slight size variation between the sexes and most have a brownish or black plumage. Old World vultures inhabit the warmer parts of Europe, the whole of Africa and the drier parts of southern Asia, but not the Australasian Region. They are most common in mountainous or open country and seldom found in areas of high rainfall. With one exception (the Palm-nut vulture) they are carrion-feeders, consuming either the flesh or the skin and bone of carcasses. All detect carrion by sight and by the movement of other vultures or carrion birds. During feeding they gorge heavily and can scarcely fly afterwards; arrival at a carcase is continuous as news spreads in an ever widening circle. Vultures normally nest in trees (two species nest on cliffs or rock-points) and lay one egg. New World vultures differ from Old World ones (beside anatomically) only in that fleshy caruncles (coloured outgrowths of the skin) may develop on the head. They are also less fussy about habitat, occupying wooded country and many sorts of terrain. Some species are known to be able to detect carrion by smell, and they nest on crags (rockpoints or cliffs) or on the ground, laying always 2 or 3 eggs. The family ranges from southern Canada to Tierra del Fuego.

Alternative form for vultures : vulture.