Turkey vulture

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turkey vulture Cathartes aura

New world vultures (Family Cathartidae) – All carrion eaters. Adaptions to this food source include a small, unfeathered head and a hooked bill.

Flight Field ID trait:

  • Wings held in a shallow “V”- rocks gently side-to-side with little flapping; called a “dihedral” shape.
  • Underwings distinctly 2-toned due to silvery flight feathers.
  • Rather long wings & tail
  • Feathers absent on head, skin is red (adult)
  • White bill (adult)
  • Migrates to southern US, Mexico & Central America for the winter
turkey vulture Cathartes aura

Photos by Rod Gilbert

turkey vulture Cathartes aura

Photos by Rod Gilbert