ClipArt ETC
Nicrophorus germanicus, a larger species of necrophaga.

Burying Beetle

Nicrophorus germanicus, a larger species of necrophaga.

A group of carnivorous beetles that mainly feed on snails.

Carrion Beetle

A group of carnivorous beetles that mainly feed on snails.

A group of carnivorous beetles that mainly feed on snails.

Carrion Beetle

A group of carnivorous beetles that mainly feed on snails.

Genus <em>Cathartes</em>, found in the Americas, sometimes as far north as New England.

Turkey Buzzard

Genus Cathartes, found in the Americas, sometimes as far north as New England.

The carrion-crow of Europe has been known to feed on decaying flesh, as well as young birds, shellfish, lands and other small quadrupeds, grains, potatoes, and green walnuts.

Carrion-Crow of Europe

The carrion-crow of Europe has been known to feed on decaying flesh, as well as young birds, shellfish,…

Skull of <em>corvus corone</em>, or carrion crow, showing the brain cavity.

Crow skull

Skull of corvus corone, or carrion crow, showing the brain cavity.

"A tower, generally built about 25 feet high, on which the Parsees expose the bodies of their dead to be stripped of flesh by vultures. These towers are usually so arranged that the denuded bones fall through a grating into a pit, whence they are removed for burial." &mdash;Whitney, 1889 <p>These towers were built by the Zoroastrians, of which the Parsees are one group. This image shows a tower with some bones and carrion surrounding it and hills in the background.

Tower of Silence Built by the Parsees

"A tower, generally built about 25 feet high, on which the Parsees expose the bodies of their dead to…

Black vulture (or carrion crow), genus <em>Coragyps</em>, about the size of a small turkey. This group is feeding on a fallen pig.

Black Vulture

Black vulture (or carrion crow), genus Coragyps, about the size of a small turkey. This group…

<em>V. cinercus</em>, native to the mountainous regions of Europe. It feeds exclusively on carrion.

Brown Vulture

V. cinercus, native to the mountainous regions of Europe. It feeds exclusively on carrion.

<em>C. Californianus</em>, a large species of vulture, found only on the western side of the Rocky Mountains, usually near rivers.

California Vulture

C. Californianus, a large species of vulture, found only on the western side of the Rocky Mountains,…

<em>N. percnopterus</em>, common to Africa, sometimes found in Southern Europe and in Asia. Males and females tend to live in pairs.

Egyptian Vulture

N. percnopterus, common to Africa, sometimes found in Southern Europe and in Asia. Males and…

Genus <em>sarcoramphus</em>, a large vulture found in the tropical regions of the Americas, sometimes as far north as Florida. They feed on carrion, and occaisionally small animals, such as calves.

King Vulture

Genus sarcoramphus, a large vulture found in the tropical regions of the Americas, sometimes…

Genus <em>Vulture</em>, posess keen eyesight and a sense of smell for locating carcasses. Vultures feed almost entirely on carrion, providing a valuable service by removing material that would otherwise breed infectious diseases.

Vultures

Genus Vulture, posess keen eyesight and a sense of smell for locating carcasses. Vultures feed…