Head and upper part of the neck, naked, or partially covered with short
downy feathers; the skin of the former generally wrinkled, or with
wart-like excrescences. Bill, rather long, straight, curved at the end;
nostrils, large, open, and unprotected, inserted near the middle of the
bill. Wings, long, third and fourth primaries usually longest; tail,
composed of twelve feathers, usually slightly rounded; legs and feet,
moderate, rather strong, covered with scales, middle toe long, hind toe
shortest; claws, rather strong, moderately curved, obtuse at their
points. Colour of all known species, black.
Of this genus, which is peculiar to America, there are seven species;
four of which are natives of the northern, and two of the southern
portion of this continent, and one of the West Indies. All of them much
resemble each other in their habits, and the two South American species
are nearly related to similar species of the North, as will be pointed
out in descriptions of the latter now to be given. In all its essential
characters, this genus differs very little from _Sarcoramphus_, which
includes the _Condor_ and the _King Vulture_ of South America.