Vultures were large scavenging birds with broad wingspans, bald heads, and hooked beaks designed for tearing flesh. Their feathers were usually dark, with shades of brown, black, or gray, and their bare heads and necks helped them stay clean while feeding on decaying carcasses.
Vultures typically lived in flocks and roosted in high places such as cliffs, tall trees, or abandoned structures. They spent their days soaring on thermal currents, scanning the ground below for signs of dead or dying animals. Once they located a carcass, they descended in great numbers, using their powerful beaks and talons to strip the flesh from bones, but were naturally cowardly and flee from any danger.
Known for their keen eyesight and powerful sense of smell, these birds of prey played a crucial role in the ecosystem by consuming carrion and preventing the spread of disease. They were commonly found in deserts, plains, and mountains, and were thought to be a symbol of mortality and death.