Physical Description: Size: 64-81 cm, Wing span: 170-178 cm, dark bodies with white flight feathers. Red featherless head, decurved bill. In flight wings have dihedral shape with upturned outer primaries. Flight appears shakey and unstable.

Habitat: Roosts in dense canopy and soars over open habitats such as grassland. Can be observed annually along California coasts.

Diet: Feeds on dead carrion which it locates by smell. The weak bill is not strong enough to tear live flesh, so it must wait for carcass to decay before consuming.