[1] Unlike many Old World vultures, this group of birds lack talons and musculature in their feet suitable to seize prey.

[5] Cathartiformes, also known as New World vultures, possess unique adaptations in their plumulaceous feathers that prevent the accumulation of bacteria and fungal spores, allowing them to feed on carrion without getting sick.

These feather adaptations include a lack of aftershaft, a flattened shape, and a porous structure that allows air to flow through, preventing the retention of moisture and bacteria.

This flexibility may aid in their ability to maintain body temperature while soaring at high altitudes and navigating through turbulent air currents.

These feather characteristics are distinct to Cathartiformes and likely play an important role in their unique ecological niche as scavengers.

Additionally, New World vultures have a highly acidic digestive system that allows them to break down and destroy harmful pathogens in their food, especially if the carcasses have been dead for a while.

However, adult Cathartiformes do not have feet adapted for carrying food, so they feed their chicks by regurgitating meat and bone fragments.

Vultures possess highly developed eyesight, capable of detecting a carcass measuring approximately 3 feet (0.9 m) in length from a distance of 4 miles (6.4 km), even at altitudes of up to 3 kilometres (9,800 ft).

Their behaviors include feeding off large carcasses by following other scavengers to the source of food but also hunt for living prey.