Sarcoramphus Collection

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The Sarcoramphus is a genus of extinct birds in the family Cathartidae, commonly known as New World vultures. This group of birds was widely distributed across North and South America during the Pleistocene epoch, with fossil records dating back to around 2 million years ago. Sarcoramphus species were characterized by their large size, robust build, and distinctive beaks. They had broad wingspans and powerful legs adapted for walking and grasping onto branches. The most notable feature of these birds was their massive beaks, which were long and curved downwards. One of the most well-known species within this genus is Sarcoramphus papa or King Vulture. It was a large bird that measured approximately 70-80 cm (28-32 inches) in length and weighed between 3-4 kg (6.6-8.8 pounds). Its striking black plumage featured white patches on its face, neck, and underparts. These vultures played a crucial role in ancient ecosystems as scavengers feeding on carrion left behind by other predators or dead animals that died from natural causes. Their diet consisted mainly of flesh from mammals such as deer, peccaries, tapirs, capybaras and reptiles like snakes. Fossil evidence suggests that Sarcoramphus populations declined significantly due to habitat loss caused by human activities such as deforestation for agriculture purposes during pre-Columbian times through European colonization periods onwards until they eventually went extinct at some point after initial contact with humans but before widespread hunting began