Vultures are large birds that eat dead animals rather than hunting live prey. When an animal dies in the wild, vultures circle overhead and then swoop down to feed on the carcass. This might sound unpleasant, but vultures perform a crucial job in nature: they clean up dead animals before they can rot and spread disease. Without vultures, ecosystems would be much less healthy.

Vultures have special adaptations for their role. Many species have bald heads, which helps them stay clean while feeding. They have incredibly strong stomach acid that destroys dangerous bacteria and toxins that would kill other animals. Vultures can spot a dead animal from miles away, either by sight or by smell, depending on the species.

The word vulture also describes a person who takes advantage of others' misfortune or weakness. Someone who swoops in to profit when others are struggling might be called a vulture. For example, if someone buys a failing company cheaply just to sell off its equipment for profit while ignoring the workers who lose their jobs, people might call that person a vulture. This metaphor captures the opportunistic nature of someone who feeds off others' troubles, though unlike actual vultures, these people aren't helping the situation.