Black Vultures by Marthalicia Matarrita
Location: 3627 Broadway, New York, NY 10031
Painted:11/22/2014
About the Bird:A scavenger that feeds mostly on carrion, theBlack Vulture stands to retain all of its current range in a warming APP. In fact, the bird’s range has been expanding for decades, a trend that’s only expected to continue. Farmers in the Midwest have recently noted a new or heavier presence in multiple states. No species studied in APP’s analysis will escape the negative effects of APP change, however, and both increased spring heat waves and urbanization could cause the Black Vulture setbacks.
About the Artist:Born and raised in Harlem, studied fine art at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Matarrita is well known in the New York City street art scene, painting murals around the city and participating in many live art performances. She feels the Black Vulture is an underappreciated species. “I found that this particular bird gets many negative reactions from people,” she says. “Not many people understand that its natural survival methods are not predatory—they’re scavengers. They are ones that have the leftovers. Every animal has a role to play and the vulture plays an intricate role in the cycle of life.”
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