Editorial photo #13896315 Human Interest
King Vultures Birds Of Costa Rica
A king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) surrounded by black vultures (Coragyps atratus) spreads its wings near Boca Tapada in the San Carlos canton of Alajuela province, Costa Rica, on June 27, 2026. The king vulture is the largest New World vulture after the two condor species, with a wingspan of up to 7 feet and a powerful hooked bill capable of tearing open carcasses that smaller scavengers cannot breach. Costa Rica covers just 0.03 percent of Earth's landmass yet harbors nearly 5 percent of all species estimated to exist on the planet, making it one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. (Photo by Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto)
