Look for Turkey Vultures as they cruise open areas including mixed farmland, forest, and rangeland. They are particularly noticeable along roadsides and at landfills. At night, they roost in trees, on rocks, and other high secluded spots. Back to top.
Turkey Vultures eat carrion, which they find largely by their excellent sense of smell. Mostly they eat mammals but are not above snacking on reptiles, other birds, amphibians, fish, and even invertebrates. They often have to wait for their meal to soften before they can pierce the skin, but they prefer freshly dead animals. They are skilled foragers who start with the softest parts and have even been observed to discard the scent glands of deceased skunks. Fortunately, vultures seem to have very strong immune systems because they happily eat carcasses without getting salmonella, cholera, anthrax, or botulism. Unlike their Black Vulture relatives, Turkey Vultures almost never attack living prey. Back to top.
Turkey Vultures build their nests in abandoned hawk or heron nests, abandoned buildings, thickets, caves, ledges, hollow logs, and mammal burrows. Usually, these nest sites are at least 13°F colder than their surroundings and are secluded from any disturbance or human traffic. While they often feed near humans, Turkey Vultures prefer to nest far away from civilization.
Turkey Vultures don’t build full nests. They might remove obstacles, dig a hole in the ground or leaf litter, or arrange pieces of decaying wood or vegetation. Once found, many of these nest sites may be used repeatedly for a decade or more.
Turkey vultures are known for their slow, teetering flight patterns, which likely aid in their ability to soar at low altitudes, where they can use their noses to find carrion more effectively. At other times they may soar high on thermals and form mixed flocks or kettles. On the ground they move with ungainly hops and are less agile than Black Vultures. They frequently stand erect, especially in the morning, with their wings outstretched in the sun, perhaps as a means of drying off, warming up, or cooling down. Outside of the breeding season, Turkey Vultures form roosts of dozens to a hundred individuals. Pairs of Turkey Vultures engage in a “follow flight” display during courtship, in which one bird guides the other through approximately one minute of twisting, turning, and flapping flights. This display can last up to three hours. Migrating flocks can number in the thousands. While multiple Turkey Vultures may congregate at carcasses, usually only one feeds at a time, driving the others away and forcing them to wait for their turn. Turkey Vultures are large birds of prey, but smaller species like Crested Caracaras, Zone-tailed Hawks, and Black Vultures frequently chase them away. Back to top.
Turkey Vultures increased in number across North America approximately 1. 8% per year from 1966 to 2019, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight projects that there are 28 million breeding individuals worldwide. Based on the Continental Concern Score, this population is rated as low conservation concern, with a score of five out of twenty. Although DDT side effects once put these birds in danger, they have since recovered to become some of North America’s most common large carnivorous birds. However, similar to California condors, they are susceptible to toxins or lead from deceased animals because they feed on decaying flesh. The main concern is lead shot that ends up in carcasses or gut piles left by hunters. The animals eat the shot and eventually suffer lead poisoning. Other threats include trapping and killing due to erroneous fears that they spread disease. Far from it, vultures actually reduce the spread of disease.
Kirk, David A. and Michael J. Mossman. (1998). Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), version 2. 0. In The Birds of North America (P. G. Rodewald, editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Lutmerding, J. A. and A. S. Love. (2020). Longevity records of North American birds. Version 2020. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Bird Banding Laboratory 2020.
Sauer, J. R. , D. K. Niven, J. E. Hines, D. J. Ziolkowski Jr. , K. L. Pardieck, J. E. Fallon, and W. A. Link (2019). The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis 1966–2019. Version 2. 07. 2019. USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, USA.
Sibley, D. A. (2014). The Sibley Guide to Birds, second edition. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY, USA.
The Turkey Vulture a familiar sight soaring across the skies of North America holds a unique niche in the ecological tapestry. Unlike most birds, these majestic creatures possess an exceptional sense of smell, allowing them to locate carrion with remarkable precision. Their diet, primarily composed of decaying flesh, may seem unappetizing to us, but it plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of nature.
A Feast for the Senses: The Turkey Vulture’s Dietary Delights
Turkey Vultures are nature’s cleanup crew, diligently consuming carrion and preventing the spread of disease. Their keen sense of smell, coupled with their soaring abilities, enables them to locate decaying carcasses with remarkable efficiency.
Carrion Connoisseurs:
- Predominantly Scavengers: The vast majority of a Turkey Vulture’s diet consists of carrion, ranging from mammals to reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish, and even invertebrates.
- Freshness Matters: These opportunistic eaters prefer recently deceased animals, as their beaks are not adapted to pierce the tough skin of older carcasses.
- Selective Palates: Turkey Vultures exhibit a preference for softer tissues, often targeting the eyes and internal organs first. Interestingly, they avoid the scent glands of skunks, demonstrating a keen awareness of potential hazards.
- Immune to the Unsavory: Thankfully for these scavengers, their robust immune systems protect them from contracting diseases like botulism, anthrax, cholera, and salmonella, allowing them to feast on carcasses without ill effects.
Beyond the Carcass: A Glimpse into the Turkey Vulture’s Dietary Diversity
While carrion forms the cornerstone of the Turkey Vulture’s diet, these adaptable birds occasionally venture beyond the realm of the deceased.
Opportunistic Omnivores:
- Live Prey: Although rare, Turkey Vultures have been observed capturing live prey, including young or sick birds and mammals. However, this behavior is less common than in their Black Vulture counterparts.
- Vegetal Delights: In the absence of carrion, Turkey Vultures may resort to consuming decaying vegetable matter, live insects, or even live fish trapped in drying-up ponds.
The Turkey Vulture’s Role in the Ecosystem: Nature’s Recycling Crew
The Turkey Vulture’s scavenging habits play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Waste Management Experts:
- Disease Control: By consuming carrion, Turkey Vultures prevent the spread of diseases that could harm other animals and humans.
- Nutrient Cycling: Through their consumption and excretion, Turkey Vultures contribute to the natural recycling of nutrients, ensuring their availability for plant growth and other ecological processes.
The Turkey Vulture, with its keen sense of smell, scavenging prowess, and adaptability, occupies a unique and essential role in the ecosystem. This fascinating bird serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of life and the importance of even the most seemingly unappealing creatures in maintaining a healthy and balanced environment.
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What Do Vultures Eat? (And More Vulture Facts!)
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