Vulture

the long version

From the bald, scarlet-headed turkey vulture to the colorful king vulture to the giant California condor, vultures have been reviled as disgusting, hideous scavengers that feed greedily on rotting carcasses. But vultures are magnificent birds in their own right and perform an important service by cleaning up the environment. Combining an authoritative text with dramatic color photos and line drawings, Vulture examines the myth and the reality of this much maligned bird. Although veteran science writer Wayne Grady includes a discussion of the Old World vultures, this book focuses on the seven species of New World vultures, describing their mating, breeding and feeding habits as well as their bad breath and untidy nests. Grady also explores the relationship between vultures and human beings. The book ends with the story of the California condor, which has been rescued from the brink of extinction by a dedicated team of scientists and conservationists.--From publisher description.