Overview

The turkey vulture is the most common large soaring bird over much of North America. Its bare red head, dark body, and two-toned underwing — silvery flight feathers against black coverts — make it identifiable even at great height. In flight it holds wings in a shallow V and wobbles slightly, unlike the steadier glide of hawks.

Turkey vultures locate dead animals by smell, an unusual ability among birds. They gather at roadkill, fish kills, and pasture carcasses, performing an essential ecological service that limits disease spread.

Habitat

Open country, farmland, highways, and forest edges across the US support turkey vultures. They roost communally in dead trees and cliffs overnight, then ride thermals by day scanning the ground below.

Countries found

Turkey Vulture in United States

Interesting facts

01
Turkey vultures find carrion by smell — rare among birds.
02
They defend themselves by regurgitating foul-smelling stomach contents at predators.
03
Their bare head stays cleaner when feeding inside carcasses.

Conservation status

LC — Least Concern

Turkey vultures are Least Concern with expanding populations. They are vulnerable to lead poisoning from scavenged shot game and to vehicle strikes when feeding on roadkill.