Demographics of Black Vultures in North Carolina

Authors

Bradley F. Blackwell, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Michael L. Avery, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Bryan D. Watts, The Center for Conservation Biology, College of William & Mary
Martin S. Lowney, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, Mosely, VA

Date of this Version

July 2007

Comments

Published in The Journal of Wildlife Management 71(6).

Abstract

Understanding the contributions of vital rates to species population growth is critical to developing new management protocols. We constructed a model population for black vultures (Coragyps atratus) in North Carolina, USA, based on demographic data from a 14-year study. The model population was similar in stage structure to the reference population, and adult survival was the primary contributor to the annual rate of increase (10.6%). We suggest that the North Carolina black vulture population is experiencing high rates of survival and fertility, potentially breeding at an age younger than previously assumed, and growing rapidly.