Turkey Vulture

Scientific Name: Cathartes aura

Order: Cathartiformes (vultures and condors)

Family: Cathartidae (vultures and condors)

Conservation Status

About

Turkey vultures are one of the few birds of prey that use their smell to detect food. They are truly scavengers, as they feed off of the carcass of dead animals. Their digestive system has the capability to kill any viruses and bacteria.

Turkey vultures have the tendency to over eat. At an extreme level they will be unable to fly and regurgitate their food before flying off. Their bacteria-covered skin prevents predators from thinking twice. Despite their unattractive appearance, vultures play an important role in our environment. They assist in removing animal remains and prevent diseases from spreading.

Find me at EPZ

Location: Wetlands; adjacent to American Alligator exhibit

Arrived at EPZ: Stan - 08/31/2005

Habitat & Range
Turkey vultures (also commonly referred to as “buzzards”) are found throughout North America; from as far north as southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. They inhabit a variety of open and semi-open areas, including deserts, pastures, shrub lands, and forests.
Identification
Turkey vultures have bald red heads and black plumage that resembles that of the male wild turkey. They are large birds, measuring as long as 32 inches, weighing as much as 5 pounds, and possessing wingspans as large as 6 feet.
Diet
Turkey vultures feed primarily on the bodies of dead animals, otherwise known as “carrion.” Very rarely will a turkey vulture kill its own prey. Vultures will also look for signs of other groups, either in decent or gathered on the ground, which may indicate the location of food.
Reproduction & Lifespan
Turkey vultures will build their nests in a protected location such as a cliff, cave, crevice, or hollow tree. Female turkey vultures lay up to 2 eggs during the nesting period. Chicks are helpless at birth and are cared for by both parents for up to 11 weeks. The average life expectancy is 16 years in the wild, and up to 30 years in captivity.
Fantastic Fact
A nesting turkey vulture that decides not to flee an approaching predator may pretend to be dead, or even throw up on the intruder.

Turkey Vulture

Conservation Status

About

Find me at EPZ

Habitat & Range

Identification

Diet

Reproduction & Lifespan

Fantastic Fact