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