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February 8, 2025  |  By Matt Hamas

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture Live

Turkey Vulture - IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Vultures heads are bald so that the pieces of dead animal don’t get stuck in head feathers

These apex predators are found across the United States. In fact, they can be found from southern Canada to South America. This is an easy bird to identify because it is a commonly seen bird that is very large and has a bald red head. Its similarity to a male turkey gives the turkey vulture its name. Some other names for the turkey vulture include “buzzard,” “turkey buzzard,” and “John crow”.

Ruddy Turnstone

Turkey vultures are often seen on the side of the road eating decaying animal flesh. Indeed, this is their primary food, what some call “carrion”. Vultures heads are bald so that the pieces of dead animal don’t get stuck in head feathers. A few years ago, Wild Boyz Photography featured the Black Vulture, which also feeds on roadkill. Here is a photo of a black vulture eating an alligator carcass.  

Although the turkey vulture may seem like a bird villain, they actually serve a helpful role in the ecosystem. Turkey vultures remove decaying animal flesh before it rots excessively and harbors diseases. 

Black Skimmer

Turkey vultures are known for their great sense of smell. This is how they find the decaying carcasses. Turkey vultures will fly low to try and pick up these odors. As you can see in this photo, the turkey vulture does not have a septum dividing the nostril. If you are looking at a turkey vulture from below, you will see the front edge of the wings are dark and the rest is white. 

Turkey vultures are known for their great sense of smell

I took this photograph in Acadia National Park while kayaking. I had noticed a dead tree with ~15 turkey vultures. I decided to paddle up-wind and quietly drift by the dead tree and the vultures. As you can see by this photo, I was able to get very close to the birds without scaring them away. This is the same technique I have used to get a close look at seals.

Did you know?

  • Turkey vultures do not have a syrinx, which is the vocal organ birds typically have. Because of this, the turkey vulture mainly hisses and grunts for communication.
  • Female turkey vultures will generally have two chicks each year.
  • Turkey vultures can travel as much as 200 miles in a day.
  • Turkey vultures have huge wings! Their wingspan is roughly 6 feet from wingtip to wingtip.
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Matt Hamas and Ben Ivers here. We are focused on fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment. We endeavor to bring you a unique perspective of the wild. Our photos are being placed here for you to enjoy. Please feel free to download any of the photos for your personal use. We are currently seeking partners for printing and developing photos.

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