Turkey vulture

Cathartes aura

The turkey vulture is a widespread scavenging bird of the Americas. Diurnal birds ride thermals in loose groups while searching for carrion.

Key facts

Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is a carnivore animal classified as Bird · Accipitriformes · Cathartidae.
Primary habitats are forest · grassland, with a range across Nearctic · Neotropical.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is loose group, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The turkey vulture is a widespread scavenging bird of the Americas.
It uses forest edges, grasslands, deserts, farmland, roadsides, and other open habitats.
Typical lifespan: 8-25 years

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

It uses forest edges, grasslands, deserts, farmland, roadsides, and other open habitats. Roosts may be in trees, cliffs, or structures.

Wingspan is about 160-183 cm and weight about 800-2,400 g. Dark plumage, a red bare head, long wings, and a shallow V-shaped glide are distinctive.

Active by day, it soars broadly with little flapping. Birds may forage alone or loosely together and gather at communal roosts.

It is carnivorous, feeding mainly on carcasses. It can use smell as well as sight to find carrion before landing to feed.

Eggs are laid in caves, hollows, or sheltered sites with little nest material. Adults feed chicks by regurgitation.

Its status is listed as Least Concern. As a scavenger, it helps remove carcasses and adapts well to many open landscapes.