Quick Answer
No, turkey vultures and buzzards are not the same thing. While they may look similar and fill similar ecological niches, turkey vultures and buzzards are different species of birds.
Buzzards vs. Turkey Vultures
Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) and buzzards belong to different taxonomic families of birds:
- Turkey vultures are members of the Cathartidae family.
- Buzzards belong to the Accipitridae family.
Some key differences between turkey vultures and buzzards include:
Turkey Vulture | Buzzard |
---|---|
Native to the Americas | Found in Europe, Asia, and Africa |
Feeds exclusively on carrion | An active predator that catches live prey |
Has a bald red head | Has feathers on head |
Soars with wings in a V-shape | Flaps wings frequently in flight |
Turkey Vulture Description
The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is a species of scavenging bird of prey that is found throughout most of the Americas. Turkey vultures have distinctive features that set them apart from buzzards:
- Bald red head – The head of an adult turkey vulture lacks feathers and has a bright red color.
- Large wingspan – Turkey vultures have a wingspan of up to 6 feet.
- V-shaped soaring – Turkey vultures soar with their wings held upright in a V-shape.
- Keen sense of smell – Turkey vultures use their excellent sense of smell to locate carrion.
- Dark black-brown plumage – The body plumage of turkey vultures is an overall blackish-brown color.
Turkey vultures use their superb soaring abilities to search for carrion. Once they locate carrion, turkey vultures circle overhead and use their acute sense of smell to pinpoint the food source. Turkey vultures have very weak feet and cannot carry heavy prey, so they exclusively eat food they can access on the ground.
Turkey Vulture Range and Habitat
Turkey vultures are widely distributed across much of North and South America. Their breeding range extends from southeastern Canada through the United States, Mexico, Central America and into much of South America.
Turkey vultures occupy varied habitats including grasslands, savannas, deserts, forests and even swamps. They avoid dense forest interiors, however, and prefer open areas where they can scan for carrion from the air.
Turkey Vulture Diet and Feeding
Turkey vultures are highly specialized scavengers and eat little else besides carrion. They prefer carcasses of large mammals like cattle, pigs and deer but will eat carrion of any size down to small birds and rabbits. Turkey vultures consume most parts of a carcass, including skin and bones.
Due to their weak feet, turkey vultures cannot tear open thick hides themselves. However, they often congregate in groups at carcasses where some individuals are able to make an opening that the rest can access. Their beaks are also relatively weak compared to other scavenging birds.
Turkey Vulture Breeding and Reproduction
Turkey vultures form monogamous pairs during the breeding season. Courtship displays include aerial maneuvers and mutual preening. They build nests on the ground, in caves, hollow trees, or thickets. Nests consist of a scrape lined with leaves, sticks and litter.
Females lay 1 to 3 eggs which are incubated by both parents for 28-41 days. Chicks hatch covered with downy feathers and are able to move around the nest shortly after birth. Both parents feed the chicks by regurgitating food at the nest. Young fledge at around 80 days and reach sexual maturity after 2 to 3 years.
Buzzard Description
Buzzards are medium to large raptors in the genus Buteo. There are around 28 species worldwide. Well-known types of buzzards include:
- Common buzzard – The most widespread buzzard species found across Eurasia and parts of Africa.
- Red-tailed hawk – A common North American buzzard.
- Rough-legged buzzard – A buzzard with feathered legs that breeds in Arctic regions.
Some key features of buzzards include:
- Broad wings – Buzzards have wide wings that are shorter and more rounded compared to many other raptors.
- Varied plumage – Plumage can be vary variable with a mix of colors including brown, black, white, reddish and gray.
- Robust body – Buzzards have a chunky body type compared to more slender falcons and hawks.
- Flapping flight – Buzzards flap frequently in flight and do less soaring compared to turkey vultures.
- Feathered head – Buzzards have feathering on their head unlike the bare head of vultures.
Buzzard Range and Habitat
Different buzzard species occupy ranges across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. They inhabit various habitat types including forests, shrublands, grasslands, wetlands, and deserts. Buzzards are generally absent from treeless tundra and icy regions.
Buzzard Diet and Feeding
Buzzards are opportunistic predators and scavengers. They eat mainly small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, earthworms, crabs, and carrion. Prey is located from the air or an elevated perch prior to attack. Buzzards use their strong feet and hooked talons to grab and kill prey.
Buzzard Breeding and Reproduction
Buzzards are monogamous and pairs remain together for life. During courtship the male performs aerial displays while the female is perched. Buzzards build sturdy nests out of sticks, often in trees but sometimes on cliffs or the ground. 2-4 eggs are laid which are incubated by the female while the male provides food.
After 28-35 days the eggs hatch and both parents feed the young by tearing up food and feeding it to the chicks. The chicks fledge after 6-11 weeks. Buzzards reach maturity after 1-3 years depending on the species.
Differences Between Turkey Vultures and Buzzards
While turkey vultures and buzzards may appear somewhat similar, they are taxonomically and behaviorally distinct:
Turkey Vulture | Buzzard |
---|---|
Cathartidae family | Accipitridae family |
New World species | Old World species |
Scavenger | Predator and scavenger |
Bald red head | Feathered head |
Longer wings with V-shaped soaring | Shorter wings and flaps frequently |
Excellent sense of smell | Poor sense of smell |
Weaker feet | Strong feet and talons for catching prey |
Conclusion
In summary, while turkey vultures and buzzards fill a similar niche as wide-ranging scavengers and predators of small animals, they belong to separate taxonomic families that evolved independently. Turkey vultures are New World vultures native to the Americas, while buzzards are Old World raptors found in Europe, Asia and Africa. The two groups vary in their physical characteristics and foraging habits but play an important role as wide-ranging scavengers in their respective ecosystems.