On the continents of both Elysium and Arcadia, the niche of aerial scavenger is filled by two closely related species of birds. These flying undertakers are known as Crowtures. While they are large and bald-headed like vultures, these birds are far more closely related to crows and ravens, having evolved convergently to vultures, which are (in fact) nonexistent in this world.

The Arcadian Crowture is the smaller and more colorful of the two presented species. While its feathers are predominantly dark-grey, it also possesses dark-blue feathers on its wings and tail, a mostly white "bib" around its neck, and (most strikingly) a crest of light-blue and light-violet feathers on its back. The latter-mentioned structure is for communication between members of the same species and not exclusively during the mating season. Both sexes possess the exact same type of feathers and frequently use them for nonverbal communication.
Somewhat timid by nature, it is theorized that their nonverbal communication was developed as a way to limit detection from other would-be scavengers. Once the Crowtures manage to locate a carcass, they will perform several wide, slow swooping maneuvers instead of directly descending on the meat. That way, land-based predators are less likely to notice the birds as they land and subsequently muscle them off the carrion. Even if this works for only a few moments, that gives the Crowtures much more time to eat their fill in peace.

The Elysian Crowture is the larger of the two presented species. This bulky, brutish scavenger is far more vocal than its Arcadian counterpart and can be easily distinguished by its dark blueish-grey plumage. These Crowtures are far more aggressive than their relatives from across the sea and have no issue with descending directly onto a fresh carcass. They are also far more vocal, often using their shrill "caws" to bully smaller predators off their kills. Even larger predators can't feel safe. A whole murder of Crowtures will use their sharp beaks and talons to harass creatures even as deadly as tyrannosaurs off a kill... IF, of course, there is a sufficient number of them.

Both Crowture species mate for life and use elaborate aerial maneuvers in their courtship rituals. Each year a mated pair will raise 1 to 2 chicks in a nest built either in a tall, hard-to-climb tree or in a steep cliff face.
Both species also travel in large groups, called "murders" (same as in the case of their crow relatives). A single murder of Crowtures can have anywhere from 10 to 50 individuals.