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Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest, Grassland, Wetland, Urban
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)
Lifespan: Up to 16 years

An eagle-sized black bird with long wings and tail, white beak and legs, and a small, bare, red head covered with white bumps. The most common North American vulture and one of the largest flying birds, the Turkey Vulture is extremely graceful. It soars high overhead searching for carcasses using its keen senses of smell and sight. Turkey Vultures are valuable for their removal of garbage and disease-carrying animals.

Diet

The turkey vulture is a scavenger and feeds almost exclusively on carrion.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Aves
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Order: Cathartiformes
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Family: Cathartidae
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Genus: Cathartes
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Species: Cathartes aura

Scientific Name

Cathartes aura
Breeding Season
March-June
Migration Pattern
Individuals in the more northern regions migrate south in winter
Lifespan
Up to 16 years

Behavior

The turkey vulture roosts in large community groups, breaking away to forage independently during the day. This vulture is often seen standing in a spread-winged or horaltic (pose with wings spread and raised) stance. The stance is believed to serve multiple functions: drying the wings, warming the body, and baking off bacteria. It is practiced more often following damp or rainy nights. The turkey vulture is awkward on the ground with an ungainly, hopping walk. It requires a great deal of effort to take flight, flapping its wings while pushing off the ground and hopping with its feet. While soaring, the turkey vulture holds its wings in a shallow V-shape and often tips from side to side.

Ecological Role

Because turkey vultures are major consumer of carrion, they play an important role in biodegradation.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Forest
Grassland
Wetland
Urban

Geographic Distribution

Turkey Vultures is the most widely distributed vulture in the Americas and rivals its cousin the black vulture as the most abundant raptorial bird worldwide. It is found in open and semi-open areas throughout the Americas from southern Canada to Cape Horn. It is a permanent resident in the southern United States, though northern birds may migrate as far south as South America

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
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No field notes or observations available for this species.

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