turkey vultures
1. Bird Name
English Name: Turkey Vulture
Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
2. Appearance
Turkey vultures’ bodies are mostly covered with dark brown to black feathers, however, from a distance, they may appear black. The undersides of their wings are remarkable with a metallic silver color. They have a featherless, red-colored head and their beak is hooked, indicating their scavenging nature. The bird’s eyes are sharp and dark, adapted for spotting carrion from afar. There’s no sexual dimorphism between males and females, hence both sexes appear similar.
3. Size
Turkey Vultures stand about 64-81 cm (25-32 inches) tall. The wingspan is quite impressive, averaging between 160-183 cm (63-72 inches). Male and female turkey vultures usually weigh between 0.8-2.3 kg (1.8-5.07 lbs).
4. Habitat & Distribution
These birds can be found throughout the Americas. From southern Canada all the way to the southernmost tip of South America, these birds are widely distributed. Turkey vultures inhabit a range of habitats, including open areas such as grasslands and deserts, they are also found in dense forests and mountains. They thrive in regions where open or semi-open spaces exist alongside with areas of dense cover.
5. Interesting Facts
The Turkey Vulture has a keen sense of smell that’s unique among the vulture family. They use their exceptional olfaction to locate carrion. They’re also known for their unique defense mechanism: when threatened, they will regurgitate their last meal, startling potential predators. Additionally, these vultures are thermoregulation experts; they spread their wings wide to soak up the sun’s heat in the mornings.
6. Diet
Turkey Vultures are exclusively scavengers and feed on carrion, unlike other birds of prey. They often use their keen sense of smell to locate rotting carcasses, which is their preferred meal.
7. Behavior & Sounds
These birds are quite social and tend to roost in large groups. They can often be observed soaring on thermal updrafts in large numbers during the day. Turkey Vultures are largely silent, but they can make hisses and grunts, especially during feeding or at their roost sites.
8. Conservation Status
Turkey Vultures are listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN Red List. Their populations appear to be stable, and they might even be increasing slightly in certain regions thanks to the increase in roadkill, a common food source.
9. Lifespan
In the wild, Turkey Vultures can live up to 20 years, however, in captivity, they have been known to live for more than 30 years.
10. Additional Notes
In some cultures, Turkey Vultures are appreciated for their role as nature’s clean-up crew. They help control the spread of disease by disposing of dead animals. In terms of interactions with humans, they generally are not a threat unless provoked or cornered. Despite their essential ecological role, these misunderstood birds are sometimes persecuted because they are mistakenly thought to spread disease. In reality, their highly acidic stomach effectively kills any bacteria or viruses present in their carrion meals.
