Trail Camera Captures Rare Co-Nesting of Black Vultures with Predatory Raptors in Argentina

Last month, the Journal of Raptor Research published an exciting study where researchers used trail cameras to capture interactions between different raptor species in abandoned buildings in Argentina. They found that Black Vultures could raise their chicks near American Barn Owls and Chaco Eagles, even in close quarters—just one or two meters apart! This is the first time this behavior has been documented. The footage was taken at two locations: an old house in Santa Fe province with American Barn Owls and a hunting tower in La Pampa province with Chaco Eagles. Interestingly, while there was no direct competition observed, a Black Vulture was seen near an eagle's nest when the adult was gone, which coincided with an eagle egg going missing, though it’s unclear if the vulture was responsible. Black Vultures, which are common scavengers throughout the Americas, are increasingly nesting in human-made structures, while Chaco Eagles, larger mammals hunters, add a fascinating layer to this relationship. PetaPixel and BBC's Discover Wildlife Magazine featured this study.