The King Vulture has a large orange wattle, a caruncle, and has a brilliantly coloured head, unlike the condors it is related to. Smaller than their nearest relatives, the condors, they have a wingspan from 1.2 to 2 meters and can weigh up to 3.7 kilos. King Vultures are carnivores. Most their food is acquired through scavenging animal carcasses. Their beak is designed to tear flesh. It is the dominant bird when condors are not present when feeding at a carcase. Found across South and Central America they inhabit a wide range of habitats including grasslands, lowland forests, swamps and savannas but prefer areas where there is some woodland. Captive birds have lived for 30 years. It was very important in Mayan culture and art. Conservation status - Least concern but declining in numbers. Photographed at Mulhouse zoo, Alsace, France