Neotropical vulture scavenging succession at a capybara carcass in eastern ecuador

Multiple species of vulture coexist in Neotropical lowland forests, creating a diverse avian scavenging community. Sharing ephemeral resources such as carrion among many scavengers creates high competition. Dominance among competitors largely depends on body size (Petrides 1959, Wallace & Temple 1987, Kendall 2013). Large-bodied competitors may be displaced by greater numbers of smallbodied competitors (Petrides 1959, Gomez et al. 1994, Kendall 2013). Species’ preferences for carcass condition causes temporal variation in carcass use and promotes coexistence when competition is high (Lemon 1991). Species differences in foraging behavior and social hierarchy create further temporal variation in carcass use, resulting in scavenger ‘succession.’ Neotropical vulture succession was observed in June 2012 along the Tiputini River, Ecuador, at a naturally occurring capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) carcass. We observed changes in Neotropical species abundances as the carcass was consumed. A large carcass such as a capybara may be an infrequent occurrence in lowland forest, as most carcasses available in this habitat are small (Houston 1985). This event provided a unique opportunity to observe the interactions of multiple scavenger species. Few accounts exist of Neotropical scavenger succession in conjunction with carcass condition and none exist for Greater Yellow-headed (Cathartes melambrotus), Black (Coragyps atratus), and King Vultures (Sarcoramphus papa) concurrently.