The identification of Turkey vultures is relatively straightforward. Turkey vultures look black from a distance, but upon closer examination, they have black and blackish-brown plumage. This article describes and provides illustrations of how to identify turkey vultures in flight, while perched, as well as their usual habits, ideal habitat, and range. Table of Contents.
The turkey vulture looks black from a distance, but it has parts that are black and blackish-brown. The back, neck, breasts, and belly are black. Dark brown flight feathers and wing coverts make up the folded wings of perched birds. Due to their similar plumage and unfeathered redheads, male and female turkey vultures cannot be distinguished based only on appearance.
From afar, the plumage of a turkey vulture appears black. When viewed up close, subtle differences in tones of black and blackish-brown can be discerned.
The neck area, breast, and belly are predominantly black. The back (mantle) is black with hints of brown. The wing coverts on the folded wings are dark-brown edged with varying amounts of lighter brown. The secondary flight feathers visible on the folded wing are dark with a varying amount of brown edging.
There is a good deal of variation in the plumage of turkey vultures. Adult birds in fresh plumages appear darker than browner and faded old plumages.
The turkey vultures have unfeathered red heads, which is the bird’s most distinctive feature. The head looks small relative to the size of the bird.
There is no sexual dimorphism in turkey vultures, so males and females look the same. Despite the fact that females are marginally larger than males, physical characteristics such as plumage cannot be used to differentiate between the sexes.
Although the turkey vulture is a common and well-known bird, not much is understood about its molt cycles and plumage.
The Turkey Vulture, a majestic avian scavenger, is a common sight across the Americas. But what exactly does this bird look like? How can you distinguish it from other vultures and raptors? This guide will delve into the key features of the Turkey Vulture, helping you confidently identify this unique creature.
Size and Shape:
- Large: The Turkey Vulture boasts an impressive size, measuring 25.2-31.9 inches in length and sporting a wingspan of 66.9-70.1 inches.
- Broad Wings: Its long, broad wings are a defining characteristic, making it appear larger than other raptors except for eagles and condors.
- Long “Fingers”: The wingtips feature elongated “fingers,” further adding to the bird’s imposing presence.
- Long Tail: The tail extends beyond the toe tips in flight, providing additional stability.
- “V” Shape: When soaring, the Turkey Vulture holds its wings slightly raised, forming a distinctive “V” shape when viewed head-on.
Color Pattern:
- Blackish-Brown: While appearing black from a distance, the Turkey Vulture’s plumage is actually a dark brown with subtle variations.
- Featherless Red Head: The most striking feature is the unfeathered red head, contrasting vividly with the dark body.
- Pale Bill: The bill is pale in color, adding to the visual contrast.
- Two-toned Wings: The undersides of the flight feathers exhibit a paler silver-gray color, creating a two-toned appearance when the bird is in flight.
Behavior:
- Majestic Soarer: The Turkey Vulture is a master of soaring, gliding effortlessly on thermals with minimal wing flapping.
- Teetering Flight: Its flight is characterized by a teetering motion, adding to its distinctive aerial display.
- Low-Level Gliding: When searching for carrion, the Turkey Vulture often flies relatively low to the ground, sniffing for the telltale scent of decay.
- Group Soaring: They may soar in small groups, taking advantage of rising air currents together.
- Communal Roosting: Turkey Vultures often roost in large numbers, congregating on poles, towers, dead trees, and fence posts.
Habitat:
- Open Areas: These adaptable birds are commonly found around open areas such as roadsides, suburbs, farm fields, and countryside.
- Food Sources: They are drawn to areas with readily available food sources like landfills, trash heaps, and construction sites.
- Sunny Days: On sunny days, they can be spotted as early as 9 a.m., soaring high in the sky.
- Roosting Sites: In colder weather and at night, they seek shelter in roosting sites.
Distinguishing Features:
- Red Head: The bright red, featherless head is a key identifier, distinguishing it from other dark-colored raptors.
- Two-toned Wings: The contrasting pale undersides of the flight feathers are unique to the Turkey Vulture.
- Teetering Flight: The characteristic teetering motion during flight sets it apart from other soaring birds.
Similar Species:
- Black Vulture: While similar in overall appearance, the Black Vulture lacks the Turkey Vulture’s red head and two-toned wings.
- Zone-tailed Hawk: This hawk shares the Turkey Vulture’s two-toned wings, but its smaller size and barred tail feathers differentiate it.
- Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle: These larger eagles have white heads and tails, easily distinguishing them from the Turkey Vulture.
The Turkey Vulture’s combination of size, color pattern, behavior, and habitat preferences makes it a relatively easy bird to identify. By paying attention to these key characteristics, you’ll be able to confidently recognize this fascinating scavenger whenever you encounter it.
What does a turkey vulture look like standing?
Turkey vultures are gregarious birds. They perch on fence poles, branches, or utility poles in flocks of various sizes. Despite their ease of mobility, they only walk around carcasses and in and out of shallow water, frequently to bathe.
A turkey vulture’s body position varies depending on where it is perched. On a flat surface, it typically maintains an oblique or inclined position, more parallel to the surface. As the vulture perches on a branch or the end of a pole, it assumes a more vertical or upright posture.
Plumage
The plumage of juvenile turkey vultures is uniformly blackish with fewer or little dark-brown shades. Some juvenile birds have their wing covert feathers edged with buffy-white rather than brown.
A young turkey vulture’s juvenile plumage lasts for one year after they leave the nest. The plumage differences between juvenile and adult birds become more apparent up close.
Turkey vultures in flight
Turkey vultures are most visible when they soar and glide while using thermal updrafts. They fly in a wobbly or teetering fashion with a characteristic dihedral wing formation.
Turkey vultures seldom flap their wings. When they first take off, they flap their wings a little and pass over the trees before gaining much speed. Additionally, on cloudy days or at times of the day when thermal updraft currents are weak, they flap their wings more frequently.
Turkey vultures generally fly at lower altitudes than black vultures. They fly very low and in circles to locate carcasses when they detect a whiff or smell of one.
Turkey vultures roost and predetermined roost sites scattered in the areas where they forage for food. Typically, birds spend the night at one or a few favored roost sites, frequently with black vultures by their sides.
The Turkey Vulture: Everything You Need To Know | Eating, Sound/Call, Hiss, Flying, Habitat, Attacks
FAQ
What birds are mistaken for turkey vultures?
Are turkey vultures harmful?
What’s the difference between a turkey vulture and a black vulture?
What does it mean when you see a turkey vulture?
What does a turkey vulture look like?
Wingspan: 63–72 in (160–183 cm) Body and Coloration: The bright red head of the turkey vulture is small compared to the rest of its body. The beak is short and hooked, with an ivory coloration. Their eyes have an incomplete pair of eyelashes on the upper lid and two rows on the lower eyelid. The irises of their eyes are greyish-brown.
How much does a turkey vulture weigh?
Despite the turkey vulture being a common and familiar bird, little is known about its plumage and molt cycles. The turkey vulture is a large bird with an approximate length of 25.1 – 32 inches, reaching a 5.6 – 6 feet wingspan. The weight is approximately 4.4 lb on average. Summary table showing the turkey vulture measurements.
Do turkey vultures smell?
Adult. Photo: Michelle Maani/Audubon Photography Awards A familiar sight in the sky over much of North America is the dark, long-winged form of the Turkey Vulture, soaring high over the landscape. Most birds are believed to have a very poor sense of smell, but the Turkey Vulture is an exception, apparently able to find carrion by odor.
What do vultures look like?
The irises of their eyes are greyish-brown. The legs and feet of this vulture are usually pinkish-red, though they mostly appear white as a result of being covered with their feces. The plumage is greyish black, though the underside appears lighter when they are in flight. Also, while flying, the tail seems tall and slim.