They can easily be identified by their large wingspan, up-turned wings and tipsy flight. They are sighted travelling in large flocks and instantly cease their … A Turkey Vulture's bald head also makes it easy for us to identify.

The Turkey Vulture has a large range, estimated globally at 28,000,000 square kilometers.

The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is the most common of the cathartid species. Turkey Vulture Habitat.

A Turkey Vulture live up to 20 years in the wild.
The Turkey Vulture arrives first at the carcass, or with Greater Yellow-headed Vultures or Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures, which also share the ability to smell carrion. Damage by black and turkey vultures in Virginia, 1990-1996. The mating ritual begins with several birds gathering on the ground, hopping in a circle with their wings partially spread.

It is widespread over open country, subtropical forests, shrublands, deserts, and foothills; also in pastures, grasslands, deciduous forests, woodlands, adjacent farmlands, and wetlands. To keep cool, Turkey Vultures will sometimes pee on their own legs!

The turkey vulture is in the same family (Cathartidae) as the California Condor (Federally endangered species) and the black vulture, which lives primarily in the south and southeast portions of the U.S. ... Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and wildlife and the habitat that supports them. In flight, the Vulture’s featherless head appears small for the bird’s size. Diet of Black and Turkey vultures in a forested landscape.. Except for the subspecies C. aura aura turkey vultures are non-migratory. A study in South Carolina found that in non-agricultural areas, their primary source of food was wild carrion. The vulture's featherless head keeps them clean. a bright red head and pale beak are distinguishing characteristics of this species. Turkey vulture diets vary depending on their habitat. They also rely heavily on roadkill in areas of human development. Turkey Vulture Habitat: The vulture makes habitats in open areas, semi-open areas, pastures, subtropical forests, shrublands, foothills, wetlands, grasslands, and deserts.

The more northern vultures are seen anywhere from late March through December then migrate usually a long distance as far as South America.

Turkey Vulture is not on the 2014 State of the Birds Watch List.

Injured turkey vultures in wildlife rehabilitation centers have been known to bond with a particular person.

Some areas that these birds frequent include grasslands, foothills, deserts, wetlands, swamps, subtropical forest, prairies, shrublands, and more. They can fly low to the ground to pick up the scent of dead animals.

Turkey Vultures can be seen year round in most of the southern United States including Kentucky where I live. Wildlife Society Bullein: Vol. The Turkey Vulture is a large, eagle-sized bird with a wingspan that approaches six feet. Habitat: The turkey vulture is the most abundant vulture in the Americas. This species is extremely widespread and abundant. The Turkey vulture is monogamous, the mating-pair bond lasting for the breeding season, often for the whole year. It is thought to occur from Canadian border all the way to the southern tip of South America. Turkey vultures seem to have a genuine curiosity about people and objects. They like to play games and will untie their special person’s shoelaces and bring an object to the person to play tug-of-war. These birds were threatened by side-effects of the pesticide DDT, but today they are among the most common large carnivorous birds in North America. An immature Turkey Vulture’s head is dark gray. However, because they live on rotting meat, like California Condors, they can fall victim to poisons or lead in dead animals. In addition to their bald heads, Turkey Vultures have other unique adaptations. Turkey Vultures, common in Nebraska and seen daily in South Lincoln, are one of seven New World vulture related to the California Condor and Black Vulture found in North America, and the Andean Condor, King Vulture, and the Greater and Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures found in South America. 2007. Mandel, J., K. Bildstein. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 119:2: 267-271. The Turkey Vulture does not build a nest - they lay eggs directly on the ground. Adult Vultures have red heads and bonecolored beaks. The vulture’s talons are not particularly built for holding prey.
When trying to identify a Black Vulture from a Turkey Vulture while on the wing (in flight), one may do so by looking at the underside of the bird’s wings. A Turkey Vulture’s wings will be largely silvery-white underneath, while the Black Vulture only has small patches of white at the tip. Because of this, you can likely see them in an immense amount of habitats and ecosystems, virtually anything they can easily fly to within their range. Turkey vultures are a frequent sight over the fields and tidelands of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge during the spring, summer and fall. They have flat feet due to which they cannot grasp anything properly. 2, 27(3): 715-719.