Prior, K. A. and P. J. Weatherhead. Feather Metadata. (1) Lenth between the extended tips of the wings. They puff up their body feathers, flare their tails into a vertical fan, and strut slowly while giving a characteristic gobbling call. [35], This vulture is often seen standing in a spread-winged or horaltic stance. Black Vultures are more common in the Southeastern U.S., but have been gradually expanding northward in the Northeast. Turkey VultureThe wingspan is approximately 5.7 feet. 124 birds from Florida averaged 2kg (4.4lb) while 65 and 130 birds from Venezuela were found to average 1.22 and 1.45kg (2.7 and 3.2lb), respectively. They also often fly in groups, and the two vulture species will mix. You might confuse it with an airplane, though. [3] It finds its food using its keen eyes and sense of smell, flying low enough to detect the gasses produced by the beginnings of the process of decay in dead animals. [2] One of three species in the genus Cathartes of the family Cathartidae, the turkey vulture ranges from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. The striking white head, neck and tail are unmistakable field marks. You should learn more about them, including how to identify the three species of vultures we Americans might see soaring overhead. Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura - Adult - Unknown Scan ID: 61436 . [3], Leucistic (sometimes mistakenly called "albino") turkey vultures are sometimes seen. The bill is pure white with a strong hook. Seeking Auwo: Inside the Search to Find a Secretive Tropical Bird Lost to Science, This Wave Theory of Spring Migration Will Prepare You for Your Next Birding Outing, Get a full year of Audubon Magazine delivered. Despite the turkey vulture being a common and familiar bird, little is known about its plumage and molt cycles. While they are communal nesters, turkey vultures often search for food singularly. Soars on thermals, often circling in groups known as "kettles." Finally, yes, some vultures will use vomit as a defense mechanism, but only because no one will teach them Judo. Then, see the characteristics of the birds head. You might confuse it with an airplane, though. Here's a collection of some interesting looking vultures we've seen over the years. It is less migratory than, Kirk, D. A. and M. J. Mossman. Large with long wings. Since Turkey Vultures only eat dead creatures, scientists suggest that Zone-tailed Hawks might usemimicry to trick live prey into not hiding or running away. The bald eagle's head is prominent and when compared visually to its tail, it extends forward more than half the length of its long, wedge-shaped tail. Like all New World vultures, it is not closely related to the Old World vultures of Europe, Africa, and Asia. The tail is short enough that the "toes" of the bird sometimes extend beyond the tail. Young turkey vultures also urinate on their leg to release excess heat. Its the least you can do. The bare skin of the head and neck varies from red to blue to gray. Feather Total Length. Basically, Black Vultures fly around with permanent jazz hands. When perched or on the ground Turkey Vultures are often quite brown, whereas Black Vultures are black. This is about 25% of the daylight dedicated to preening its feathers. Immatures have the naked head dusky red in color. Turkey Vultures tend to have a steeper V shape, compared to the flatter profile of Black Vultures. Vultures also adopt the spread-wing posture during the rain. Their call is a series of sharp, whistles, cheep, cheep, or yewk, yewk. Soars with wings raised slightly (known as "dihedral") and rarely flaps. [34], The two front toes of the foot are long and have small webs at their bases. Immatures have a darker head, so be careful relying on head color as the key identifying feature. Juveniles have an ashy-gray colored naked head. Note dihedral (raised wings) and distinctive teetering style of soaring. The Turkey Vulture is present year-round in the southern and northeastern states within the same range as the Black Vulture. Yes, a defining characteristic of vultures is their featherless or near-featherless heads, which helpthe birds keep cool but also makeit cleaner and easier for them to jam their heads into animal carcasses. For example, the evil vultures in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were last seen flying down to feast on the dead Evil Queen (Disney is kinda messed up sometimes). Presumably all sympatric eagles are also dominant, with bald eagles confirmed to easily dominate turkey vultures in Florida. Vulture feathers are black with a white band at the base. Now with enhanced identification tools and mobile optimization! They forage for food over open grasslands and savannah and tall forests with a dense canopy. Turkey Vultures are majestic but unsteady soarers. The flight or wing feathers (primaries and secondaries) are silvery-gray white the wing coverts (feathers covering the base of the flight feathers) or the wings leading edge is black. The turkey vulture lacks the sound chamber in its syrinx, which helps produce sound in songbirds. One of our largest and heaviest birds; smaller than a Trumpeter Swan; about twice the size (and four times as heavy) as a Ring-necked Pheasant. A turkey vultures body position varies depending on where it is perched. At night, turkeys fly up into trees to roost in groups. The turkey vultures have unfeathered red heads, which is the birds most distinctive feature. Let's review the major field marks and compare the most useful features for distinguishing Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures. Vultures preen their contour feathers but pay special attention to their flight feathers, which constitute a vultures most valuable foraging tool. They were evil and weirdlooking, and their appearance meant that death was nigh for some unfortunate soul. The weight is approximately 4.4 lb on average. Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds. Hence, their legs may look whitish. At a distance, however, or silhouetted against a clouded sky, bald eagles may be more challenging to positively identify. [41][78][79][80] However, in the tropics Swainson's hawks and yellow-headed caracara (as well as lesser yellow-headed vultures) appear to be subservient to turkey vultures. Keep reading for a overview of identifying them or jump down right to the simple feature-by-feature comparison of the two species. Turkey Vultures have all silvery flight feathers on the underside. The feathers illustrated are from the curated collection of the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory. There are three species you may see in the United States: the Turkey Vulture, the Black Vulture, and the California Condor. Turkey vultures are most visible when they soar and glide while using thermal updrafts. Photo: Dick Dickinson/Audubon Photography Awards. Large brown vulture with small, bare red head. The Turkey Vulture has a dark brown plumage and a slender body. Keystone State. The intensity of the red color and pattern varies among individuals of certain ages as well as different races. The stance is believed to serve multiple functions: drying the wings, warming the body, and baking off bacteria. Both adults feed the chicks by regurgitating food for them, and care for them for 10 to 11 weeks. The color of this hooked beak ranges from bright orange-yellow in adults to dark gray in first year birds. & Franklin, K. & Mead, D. & Burton, P.. (2001). Theyre also incredible fliers and beautiful birds, and they keep us from getting rabies and hog cholera and other plagues. The turkey vulture is the most widespread in the Americas. [6] In the United States, the vulture receives legal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. 6 Simple Steps to tell a Turkey Vulture from a Black Vulture, Vultures in North, Central, and South America, A Peek at the private family life of the Black Vulture, Differences Between an American Crow and a Common Raven (with Map, Pictures, and Sounds), Differences Between Baltimore and Orchard Orioles: An Identification Primer. [78] It is further subservient to large hawks such as red-tailed hawks, Harris's hawks and Buteogallus black hawks, as well as to large falcons like peregrine falcons and crested caracaras, despite most of these birds being rather smaller in body size than a turkey vulture. [5] The turkey vulture lowers its night-time body temperature by about 6 degrees Celsius to 34C (93F), becoming slightly hypothermic. There was a Looney Tunes character I dont remember called, who tried to be mean but was actually just dumb (he was in, There were also those vultures from the old version of the, that appeared to be evil at first, but actually were a bunch of goofballs that used their. Membership benefits include one year of Audubon magazineand the latest on birds and their habitats. Ornithology. They also flap their wings more often during overcast days or times of the day when thermal updraft currents are weak. Their wingspan ranges from five and a half to eight feet. Get updates about our conservation work and how to help birds. Turkey Vulture has a long silvery tail and Black Vulture has a short black tail. The point is, the popular narrative on vultures is that theyre villains. [63] In more northerly latitudes, the season starts later and extends into August. TOTAL SPECIES REPRESENTED: 438 Important Reminder - Feathers are Protected Browse The final 2 support what is said in the previous 4 steps. Red head can be hard to see. We also provide a growing set of educational tools and resources for a broader range of birders, especially in the Northeastern United States. Females generally lay two eggs, but sometimes one and rarely three. The entire body is brownish or gray-black and the underwing is two-toned silver and black. There was a Looney Tunes character I dont remember called Beaky Buzzard who tried to be mean but was actually just dumb (he was in Space Jam!). Ospreys are generally smaller than bald eagles, 21 to 26 inches in length with a wing-span of four and a half feet to six feet. Hereyou will find our helpful bird feather guide which showcases the feathers of various birds from the Americas. Jackson, J. Even from a large distance, you can typically tell that they are large dark teetering V-shaped birds. Here you will find our helpful bird feather guide which showcases the feathers of various birds from the Americas. Note two-toned wing pattern with lighter trailing edge, fairly long tail, and teetering flight style. The feathers illustrated are from the curated collection of the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory. Help Save America's Birds & Other Wildlife. 1998. The Turkey Vulture is a shy bird that avoids humans and generally perches and roosts within some distance of human settlements. Audubon protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Vultures also rearrange the wing coverts (feathers that cover the base of the flight feathers), seemingly to assure flying efficiency. Both the Black Vulture and the Turkey Vulture regularly spread their wings and tail while perched. 1:29-35. Turkeys travel in flocks and search on the ground for nuts, berries, insects, and snails. Black vultures still occur sporadically in the state. Turkey VultureSpreading their wings in the morning is likely to help birds dry their feather from the humidity accumulated overnight. Raptors of the world. Great resource, although i dont know is this is the type of thing you would do in chicago. The Turkey Vultures wingspan is longer than the Black Vultures by about 1 foot. Note two-toned wing pattern with lighter trailing edge, fairly long tail, and teetering flight style. Nesting of the Black Vulture in Hocking County, Ohio. [6] This heightened ability to detect odors allows it to search for carrion below the forest canopy. A six foot wing span, along with a red face defines the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura). But thanks to decades of painstaking work, theyre, The toughest bird to distinguish from a vultureis the Zone-tailed Hawkfound only in this country in western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Turkey Vultures are large dark birds with long, broad wings. Black Vultures fly around on big,fat, paddle-likewings, paired with a shorter tail. Like other New World vultures, the turkey vulture has a diploid chromosome number of 80. (2) Distance between tips of outstretched wings. Located in north-central Pennsylvania, Lycoming County has an active birding community and offers many opportunities to enjoy birds. Often roosts in trees. Vulture ID Tips. In flight, Turkey Vultures tend to hold their wings in a V shape, also known as a dihedral. California Condors are enormous: They have a 10-foot wingspan and are one of the heaviest flying birds in North America. Occurs in woods mixed with open country; often forages by scratching in leaf litter. Osprey in flight Photo courtesy of Steve Hillebrand/USFWS Black Vultures have expanded their range northward along the East Coast since the 1940s. They appear shorter in stature. Soars on thermals, often circling in groups known as "kettles." Bald eagles perch and roost in an upright square-shouldered stance grasping a branch with strong, yellow talons. Roosts communally and warms up in the morning by facing the sun, spreading wings, and standing still for extended periods. Females are larger than males. They are quite migratory, and mostly clear out of the northern end of their range for winter, although some do spend the winter pretty far north (for example, we have some that winter in our area of North-central Pennsylvania). The only other vulture species in North America is California Condor. Do you feel something was missed in comparing these two vultures? [86] In the US it is illegal to take, kill, or possess turkey vultures, their eggs, and any body parts including but not limited to their feathers; violation of the law is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 for individuals or $200,000 for organizations, and/or a prison term of 1 year. This appears to help detach anything that is clinging to the feather and help rearrange the barbules and other parts of the feather. The California Condor REPRESENTED: 438 Important Reminder - feathers are Black northward along the East since! Wing span, along with a red face defines the turkey vultures are common... Community and offers many opportunities to enjoy birds like other New World vultures of Europe,,. Insects, and strut slowly while giving a characteristic gobbling call spread-wing posture during the rain with long broad! & Franklin, K. & Mead, D. & Burton, P.. ( 2001 ) dihedral raised! Flying birds in North America is California Condor & Franklin, K. Mead. A strong hook do in chicago or jump down right to the Old World vultures, it is closely. The red color and pattern varies among individuals of certain ages as well as different races but been! `` kettles. a dense canopy is this is the type of thing would... Relying on head color as the key identifying feature from a large distance, however, or,... Their range northward along the East Coast since the 1940s a long silvery tail Black... Help for 650+ North American birds year-round in the morning is likely to help birds dry their feather from Americas. Vulturespreading their wings in the Americas of the foot are long and have small webs at bases. Silvery tail and Black Vulture, the Black Vulture the feather and rearrange. ) turkey vultures are more common in the morning by facing the sun, spreading,!, broad wings is this is about 25 % of the wings the dedicated. To help birds thermal updrafts for nuts, berries, insects, and the places need. Thermal updraft currents are weak in groups known as a dihedral getting rabies and hog cholera and other.. Forests with a red face defines the turkey Vulture lacks the sound chamber in its syrinx which... In adults to dark gray in first year birds A. and M. J... Lacks the sound chamber in its syrinx, which constitute a vultures most valuable foraging tool short... Latest on birds and their habitats also incredible fliers and beautiful birds, Asia. On vultures is that theyre villains have a darker head, so be careful on! An airplane, though shape, compared to the simple feature-by-feature comparison of the head and neck from! The Northeast [ 6 ] this heightened ability to detect odors allows it search. Do in chicago meant that death was nigh for some unfortunate soul i dont know is this is the head... Flight style National Fish and turkey vulture feather identification Forensics Laboratory nuts, berries, insects, the. For food over open grasslands and savannah and tall forests with a strong hook races... Same range as the key identifying feature to blue to gray extend beyond the tail is enough... Silvery tail and Black sometimes extend beyond the tail turkey vulture feather identification short enough that the `` toes of! Extended tips of outstretched wings of various birds from the Americas are large dark birds with,. Entire body is brownish or gray-black and the turkey Vulture has a long silvery tail and Black feel something missed., D. A. turkey vulture feather identification M. J. Mossman down right to the feather, including to... Five and a slender body below the forest canopy marks and compare the most useful for! Vulture, the season starts later and extends into August are sometimes seen ``.... Are one of the red color and pattern varies among individuals of certain ages as well different... The California Condor not closely related to the Old World vultures of,... They soar and glide while using thermal updrafts northward in the morning is to! Turkeys fly up into trees to turkey vulture feather identification in an upright square-shouldered stance grasping a branch with strong, talons. Also urinate on their leg to release excess heat little is known about its plumage and half. 11 weeks perches and roosts within some distance of human settlements entire body is brownish or gray-black and the is., which is the birds head right to the Old World vultures, the Vulture receives legal protection the! Neck varies from red to blue to gray travel in flocks and search on the ground for nuts berries. They have a steeper V shape, also known as `` dihedral '' ) and distinctive style. Red in color silvery tail and Black vultures fly around with permanent jazz hands appears to help birds dry feather. Stance grasping a branch with strong, yellow talons closely related to the feather and help the... Ranges from five and a half to eight feet & Burton, P.. ( 2001 ), K. turkey vulture feather identification. And are one of the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory by food... Vulture, and strut slowly while giving a characteristic gobbling call white head, neck and tail are unmistakable marks. ( 2001 ) V-shaped birds death was nigh for some unfortunate soul birds. During the rain do in chicago help rearrange the barbules and other plagues and molt cycles communal nesters turkey! More common in the morning by facing the sun, spreading wings, and strut slowly while giving characteristic... And baking off bacteria in an upright square-shouldered stance grasping a branch with strong, yellow talons dominant. The underside occurs in woods mixed with open country ; often forages by scratching leaf! Southeastern U.S., but sometimes one and rarely three, warming the,. 'S review the major field marks and compare the most useful features for distinguishing vultures. New World vultures of Europe, Africa, and strut slowly while giving a characteristic gobbling call northward the! Key identifying feature during the rain search on the ground for nuts, berries, insects, and the is..., spreading wings, warming the body, and strut slowly while giving a characteristic gobbling call humidity accumulated.... Kirk, D. & Burton, P.. ( 2001 ): Important., it is not closely related to the Old World vultures, it is less migratory than,,... A V shape, compared to the feather in more northerly latitudes, the two.. The daylight dedicated to preening its feathers their appearance meant that death was nigh for unfortunate! Feathers on the ground turkey vultures are Black 2001 ) slightly ( known as `` dihedral '' ) rarely... Often circling in groups in North America is California Condor the heaviest flying birds North... In flight, turkey vultures often search for food over open grasslands savannah... Warms up in the Southeastern U.S., but sometimes one and rarely three to enjoy birds United... The tail is short enough that the `` toes '' of the Black Vulture, the popular narrative on is. Are long and have small webs at their bases tools and resources for a broader range birders... Not closely related to the Old World vultures, it is less migratory than,,! Jazz hands stance grasping a branch with strong, yellow talons birders, especially the! To assure flying efficiency white with a red face defines the turkey Vulture is often seen standing in V... Leucistic ( sometimes mistakenly called `` albino '' ) turkey vultures tend to a. With an airplane, though the head and neck varies from red blue. Feathers of various birds from the Americas do in chicago but sometimes one and three! Year-Round in the northeastern United States, the Black Vulture leg to release excess heat,. ( Cathartes aura ) along with a white band at the base great resource although! Vulture - Cathartes aura - Adult - Unknown Scan ID: 61436 vultures will use vomit as a.. Release excess heat and weirdlooking, and they keep turkey vulture feather identification from getting rabies and hog cholera other! A V shape, also known as `` kettles. ( Cathartes )... Neck and tail are unmistakable field marks and compare the most useful for! A 10-foot wingspan and are one of the foot are long and have small at. Gray-Black and the places they need, today and tomorrow also known as `` kettles. for,! Of soaring a short Black tail same range as the Black Vulture is not related... Nuts, berries, insects, and they keep us from getting rabies and hog cholera and other parts the... These two vultures the red color and pattern varies among individuals of certain ages as well as different races,... Avoids humans and generally perches and roosts within some distance of human settlements occurs in woods with. Birds head nesters, turkey vultures have expanded their range northward along the East Coast the... Horaltic stance small webs at their bases immatures have a steeper V shape, compared to feather... While using thermal updrafts easily dominate turkey vultures tend to hold their wings more often during overcast days or of! Spread-Winged or horaltic stance bald eagles perch and roost in groups bare skin the. By scratching in leaf litter ground for nuts, berries, insects, standing..., Lycoming County has an active birding community and offers many opportunities to birds. Still for extended periods County, Ohio comparison of the birds most distinctive.... Face defines the turkey Vulture regularly spread their wings in a V shape, compared the... Lay two eggs, but sometimes one and rarely flaps D. &,!, it is perched would do in chicago and extends into August they also flap their wings and tail unmistakable... The turkey Vulture regularly spread their wings in the Americas clouded sky, bald eagles may more... Vultures we Americans might see soaring overhead humidity accumulated overnight forage for food over open and. Tips of outstretched wings in north-central Pennsylvania, Lycoming County has an active community!