The bird that has a red V on the back of its neck is the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura). Turkey vultures are large, blackish vultures with prominent red heads that feed mainly on carrion. The adults have a bright red, unfeathered head and neck, which can appear dull pink from a distance. When in flight, the white undersides of their wings and dark flight feathers create a sharp contrast, making a distinctive V-shape.
Quick Facts About Turkey Vultures
- Species: Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)
- Family: Cathartidae
- Size: 27-32 inches long, 6 foot wingspan
- Range: Throughout the Americas from southern Canada to Cape Horn
- Habitat: Open areas including deserts, grasslands, pastures, agricultural fields
- Diet: Carrion – dead animals
Turkey vultures are widely distributed vulture species found throughout the Americas. They range from southern Canada all the way down to South America, going as far south as Cape Horn. Turkey vultures occupy varied habitats including deserts, grasslands pastures, and agricultural fields.
Description and Identifying Features
Some key features that help identify turkey vultures include:
- Large dark brownish-black vulture with 6 foot wingspan
- Bright red, wrinkled, unfeathered head and neck
- White linings under the wings create a V-shape in flight
- Relatively small head compared to body size
- Short, hooked beak
- Feet are weak and not well-adapted for grasping
- Soars with wings in a dihedral, or V-shape
Turkey vultures have dark brownish-black plumage except for the gray flight feathers on their wings. Their wingspan reaches up to 6 feet wide when fully extended. The head and neck appear small relative to their stocky, broad-winged body since they are mostly feathers. When flying, turkey vultures hold their wings up in a V-shape or dihedral. The white undersides of the wings against the dark flight feathers give them the distinctive two-toned V-pattern.
Interesting Facts
- Turkey vultures have an excellent sense of smell, unlike most other birds. They can detect gasses produced by decaying carcasses from up to a mile away.
- Turkey vultures do not build their own nests. They lay eggs directly on the ground, in caves, hollow logs, or appropriated nests.
- They prefer to nest on dark, secluded sites like caves, crevices, thickets, and hollow logs.
- Turkey vultures regurgitate a foul-smelling substance when threatened.
- Their urine also gives off an ammonia-like odor that helps keep predators away.
- Turkey vultures sun themselves by facing into the wind and spreading their impressive wings.
- These vultures are very social and roost in large community groups of up to several hundred birds.
- They migrate in flocks and will travel hundreds of miles to find food.
Turkey vultures utilize their keen sense of smell, unlike most birds, to locate carrion from great distances. They have interesting adaptations like regurgitating foul-smelling liquid and urinating down their legs to deter potential predators. Turkey vultures move in flocks and migrate long distances in search of carcasses and roadkill to scavenge.
Diet
Turkey vultures are obligate scavengers, meaning they only eat carrion or dead and decaying animals. They do not kill prey themselves. Their diet consists mainly of carcasses of large and small mammals and birds. They also eat reptiles and amphibians.
Carrion forms around 90% of the turkey vulture’s diet. They may also supplement their diet by feeding on vegetable matter on occasion. Turkey vultures have very strong stomach acid that kills bacteria and pathogens, allowing them to feed on carcasses infected with viruses and bacteria that could be lethal to other animals.
Table of Turkey Vulture’s Diet
Food Source | Examples |
---|---|
Carrion | Dead mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians |
Insects | Beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars |
Eggs | Bird eggs |
Vegetation | Fruits, berries, grains, nuts |
Turkey vultures have a very acidic digestive system that allows them to safely digest carrion infected with deadly bacteria or viruses that could potentially kill other scavengers. They mainly subsist on a diet of carrion supplemented by insects, eggs, and some plant material.
Turkey Vulture or Red-Tailed Hawk?
Turkey vultures are sometimes confused with red-tailed hawks since both have brownish bodies and fly with their wings in a V-shape. However, there are a few key differences between the two birds:
Differences Between Turkey Vultures and Red-Tailed Hawks
Turkey Vulture | Red-Tailed Hawk |
---|---|
Mostly blackish-brown | Light and dark color morphs |
Small red head | Belly band |
Soars for hours | Flap and glide flight |
Weak feet | Strong grasping feet |
Scavenger | Predator |
The most reliable differences are the small red head on the turkey vulture versus the belly band on the red-tailed hawk. Turkey vultures have weak feet adapted for walking while red-tailed hawks have larger hooked beaks and strong talons for hunting. Turkey vultures primarily soar while red-tails flap and glide between soaring. Turkey vultures scavenge for carrion while red-tailed hawks actively hunt for live prey.
Unique Adaptations
Turkey vultures have evolved several key adaptations related to their scavenging lifestyle:
- Keen sense of smell – They can detect ethyl mercaptan, a gas produced by decaying bodies, from up to a mile away.
- Strong stomach acid – Their very acidic digestive system allows them to eat carrion infected with deadly bacteria and viruses.
- Long wings – Their 6-foot wingspan allows them to soar extensively while expending minimal energy.
- Soaring flight – They take advantage of thermals and updrafts to stay aloft, allowing them to spot carcasses.
- Light frame – Their relatively light body weight compared to their wingspan enables excellent soaring flight.
- Excellent eyesight – They have sharp vision adapted to spotting carcasses while in flight.
Turkey vultures combine their keen sense of smell with long, broad wings adapted for soaring flight. This allows them to scan and sniff out dead animals below with minimal exertion. Their light frame and large wing surface provide excellent lift for soaring. Turkey vultures also have a very strong digestive system allowing them to feed on carrion full of pathogens.
Breeding and Reproduction
The breeding season for turkey vultures depends on their geographic location:
- In mid-latitudes, they breed from March to June.
- In South America, they breed September to February.
- In the tropics, they can breed at any time of year.
Turkey vultures form monogamous pairs during breeding season. Courtship displays include aerial manoeuvres and mutual preening. They do not build nests, instead laying 1 to 3 eggs directly on the ground in a secluded, protected site like a cave, crevice, or hollow log.
The eggs are whitish or pale gray with brown blotches. Parents share incubation duties, lasting around 40 days. The semi-altricial young hatch with eyes open and covered in white down. Both parents feed the young by regurgitating food at the nest. Young fledge in 65 to 80 days, reaching independence a few months later.
Turkey Vulture Breeding Facts
Breeding Trait | Description |
---|---|
Mating System | Monogamous pairs |
Nest Type | None, eggs on bare ground |
Clutch Size | 1 to 3 eggs |
Egg Color | Whitish with brown blotches |
Incubation | ~40 days |
Young Fledge | 65 to 80 days |
Turkey vultures form monogamous seasonal pairs. They nest on the bare ground, laying 1 to 3 eggs that are incubated by both parents. After hatching, the semi-altricial young are fed by regurgitation and fledge in 2 to 3 months.
Population and Conservation Status
Turkey vultures have an extremely large range across the Americas. Partners in Flight estimates their global breeding population at around 5 million birds. They are listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Turkey vulture numbers are stable or increasing over most of their range. They adapt readily to human presence and will congregate near rural homes where food and artificial buildings for nesting may be available. Their scavenging provides an important ecosystem service by removing carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases.
Turkey Vulture Population Data
Region | Population Estimate | Population Trend |
---|---|---|
Global | 5 million | Stable or Increasing |
United States & Canada | 4 to 5 million | Increasing |
Mexico | 100,000 to 1 million | Stable or Increasing |
Central & South America | 1 to 2 million | Stable |
Turkey vultures are abundant across their wide American range. Conservation actions include protecting roost sites and nesting habitat. Overall, turkey vulture populations remain healthy and face few major threats.
Conclusion
The turkey vulture is an iconic New World vulture that can be identified by its large dark body, red head, and distinctive V-shaped flight silhouette. Some of its unique adaptations for scavenging include acute smell to find carrion, strong stomach acid, excellent soaring ability, and keen eyesight.
Turkey vultures play an important ecological role by disposing of carcasses which could otherwise spread diseases. They thrive in a range of open habitats from southern Canada through to South America. With a stable global population numbering in the millions, turkey vultures remain common and wide-ranging scavengers throughout the Americas.