Turkey Vulture

Overview

The turkey vulture is a widespread scavenger found across the Americas, playing a critical ecological role by cleaning up carrion using one of the keenest senses of smell in the bird world.

Appearance

It has dark brown-black plumage, a featherless red head resembling a wild turkey's, and long broad wings held in a shallow V while soaring.

Habitat & Distribution

The turkey vulture is found in forest, grassland, desert habitats.

Diet & Behavior

Diet: Omnivore — Animals with flexible diets that eat both plants and animals, adapting to whatever food is available in their environment.

Turkey vultures locate carrion largely by smell, an unusual ability among birds, and soar for hours on rising thermals with barely a wingbeat to conserve energy.

Interesting Facts

• 1

  It's one of the few birds with a strong sense of smell, used to locate carrion.

• 2

  Its bald head stays cleaner than feathers would while feeding on carcasses.

• 3

  Turkey vultures can soar for hours using rising warm air with minimal wing flapping.

Gallery

Turkey Vulture FAQs