Carrion Collection (#6)

Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) two adults, feeding on eye of dead bird, Oxfordshire, England, August

Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus interruptus) adult, on European Mole (Talpa europaea) carcass, France, August

Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus investigator) two adults, feeding on Common Shrew (Sorex araneus) corpse, Powys, Wales, July

Red-breasted Carrion Beetle (Oiceoptoma thoracicum) adult, feeding on fox-scavenged bones, Powys, Wales, April

Honeycomb Starfish (Pentaceraster alveolatus) adult, feeding, scavenged on Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray (Taeniura lymma) corpse, on black sand at night, Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Sunda Islands

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) adult and immature, fighting over carrion in snow, Utajarvi, Oulu Province, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland, February

Great Black Slug (Arion ater) three adults, feeding on Common Shrew (Sorex araneus) corpse, Powys, Wales, July

Red Kite (Milvus milvus) two immatures, landing and feeding on dead rabbit, in heavy snow on farmland, West Yorkshire, England, January

Red Kite (Milvus milvus) adult and immature, fighting over dead rabbit, in heavy snow on farmland, West Yorkshire, England, January

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) adult, in flight over water, Suffolk, England, May

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) adult, with full crop, standing at edge of water, Suffolk, England, December

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) adult, with full crop, in flight, Suffolk, England, December

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) two adults, in flight, one displacing another whilst landing on branch, Suffolk, England, December

Head of a Bluebottle C016 / 9189
Bluebottle. Macrophotograph of the head of a bluebottle (family Calliphoridae) fly, showing its large compound eyes. Female bluebottles lay their eggs on meat to ensure a plentiful supply of food for

Common raven, 19th century artwork C013 / 6312
Common raven (Corvus corax). Plate 28 from Watercolour drawings of British Animals (1831-1841) by William MacGillivray

Corvus corone cornix, hooded (carrion) crow
Plate 30 from William MacGillivrays Watercolour drawings of British Animals (1831-1841)

Corvus corone, carrion crow
Plate 58 from John Goulds The Birds of Great Britain, Vol. 3 (1873). Hand coloured lithograph

Coragyps atratus, black vulture
Plate 106 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1831-34), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London

Corvus corax, common raven
Plate 28 from William MacGillivrays Watercolour drawings of British Animals (1831-1841)

Calliphora vomitoria, bluebottle laying eggs on carrion
Bluebottles or blow flies lay eggs and feed on rotten meat. Upon emerging from the pupa, adult female blowflies are capable of mating and laying eggs in under 5 days

Red Kite (Milvus milvus) adult, with European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) carrion, standing in grass field, July (captive)

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) two adults, feeding on dead European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cunniculus), Suffolk, England, October

Common Buzzard - in flight with carrion in talons - Lower Saxony - Germany
USH-5018 Common Buzzard - in flight with carrion in talons Lower Saxony - Germany Buteo buteo Duncan Usher contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

California Condor, Gymnogyps californianus, soaring overhead in Arizona, USA

Andean Condo (Vultur gryphus), captive, Andes, Ecuador, South America

Crested Caracara, Polyborus plancus, as it scans ground for food. Pantanal, Brazil

Mexico, Baja California, Sonoran Desert. Classic desert scenic with Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) perched on Cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei)

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

The carrion, a fascinating and rare phenomenon in the animal kingdom, is captured in Picture No. 10884372. This image showcases the Bearded Vulture, also known as the Lammergeier, with a carcass bone firmly gripped in its beak. With an impressive maximum wingspan of 10 feet, this magnificent bird can only be described as a bone-eating specialist. Endemic to Spain, France, Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Africa, spotting the Bearded Vulture is indeed a rarity. Its unique diet sets it apart from other birds as it solely feasts on bones. As we marvel at this incredible creature's ability to consume such tough sustenance effortlessly. But the Bearded Vulture isn't alone in its affinity for carrion. In another captivating scene captured by VAN-19 lensman Morris; we witness nature's circle of life unfold before our eyes. A Tyrannosaurus Rex indulges in the decaying remains of a dead Triceratops - showcasing how carrion plays an essential role even among prehistoric creatures. Moving forward to modern times and across continents to Morocco's desert landscape; we encounter the Northern Bald Ibis foraging beside carrion. This adult ibis demonstrates its adaptability and survival skills amidst harsh conditions while relying on these remnants for sustenance during November. In Australia's vast interior regions resides yet another intriguing duo: The Black-breasted Buzzard and Whistling Kite engaged in an argument over their share resources. These uncommon Australian endemics are pitted against common Whistling Kites that dominate throughout Australia. Returning closer to home shores brings us face-to-face with another member of Corvus family - Carrion Crow (Corvus corone). An adult crow calls out while diligently foraging along Studland Bay foreshore in Dorset England during March—a reminder that even within familiar landscapes lies the beauty of nature's scavengers.