Until recent years, scientists based the classification of vultures on morphological traits such as diet and adaptations that suit them to their carrion diet (like bare heads and necks). However, analysis of DNA evidence has cast doubt upon the idea that Old World vultures are related to New World vultures, and there is even some morphological and behavioral indications that support this theory.
There is still debate over the evolutionary history of the New World vultures with some believing that they are more closely related to storks and ibises (order Ciconiiformes) rather than raptors (order Falconiiformes).
The apparent similarities between Old World and New World vultures is most probably the result of convergent evolution ... that is when the same traits evolve independently in unrelated groups of plants or animals. Here you see a New World species ... the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), which is a resident species at the UC Hopland Research $ Extension Center.
