
Black overall with a brownish cast. The bare head is red with an ivory bill, and the legs are dark pinkish. Young birds have gray heads and whitish legs. In flight, the long tail and the long square wings distinguish this species from Black Vulture. The undersides of the flight feathers are pale gray. This contrasts with the black leading half of the wing, giving the wing a two-toned look visible from a great distance. The wings are held in a pronounced dihedral, and the bird often rocks back and forth in the wind.
Length: 64 (cm) Wingspan: 173 (cm)
Voice:
Occasional hisses.
Habitat:
Nests in forested habitats. Forages over a wide range of open habitats.
Behavior:
During cool morning hours, often perches facing the sun with wings outstretched for an hour or more before taking flight.
Feeding:
Finds carrion with highly developed sense of smell.
Field Notes

This species often looks headless in flight as the head is proportionally very small and featherless. Unlike most birds of prey and other large soaring birds, there is virtually no extension of head and neck in front of the wings.
Citation: Personal Experience. I observe this regularly, highly confident.
Expanded Life History
Feed Ecology And Diet | Contribute Content |
Nesting Habits | Contribute Content |
Migration Status | Contribute Content |
Conservation Status | Contribute Content |
Local Sites to Spot | Contribute Content |
Abundance Status | Contribute Content |
Adult Male Description | Contribute Content |
Adult Female Description | Contribute Content |
ITIS Taxonomic Number | Contribute Content |
Sonogram | Contribute Content |
Courtship | Contribute Content |
Reproductive Characteristics | Contribute Content |
Relationship to Humans | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Size & Shape | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Color & Pattern | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Habitat | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Behavior | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Wingspan | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Weight | Contribute Content |
Breeding | Contribute Content |
Cool Facts | Contribute Content |
Local Knowledge | Contribute Content |
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Sightings
Date | Submitted By | Count |
---|---|---|
09/25/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/04/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/04/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/21/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/21/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/07/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/07/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/24/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/24/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/17/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/17/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/10/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/10/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/03/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/03/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
Recent Activity
Activity | Date & Time |
---|---|
Shenandoah McGuire added Turkey Vulture to their Hood Canal HWY 101 South of Hamma Hamma smart list | 8/04/2015 at 2:32PM |
Nathan Cutler added Turkey Vulture to their Red Rock Lake smart list | 8/25/2013 at 5:37PM |
William Hearst asked a question for the Turkey Vulture | 3/16/2013 at 10:11AM |
Billy Bump added Turkey Vulture to their Olive branch, ms smart list | 2/22/2013 at 8:27PM |
Jackson Scheerer added Turkey Vulture to their En Route Between Campbellsport and Fond du Lac smart list | 7/07/2012 at 9:50AM |
Caleb Arrison added Turkey Vulture to their Kirby smart list | 4/09/2012 at 7:31AM |
Jacob Parks added Turkey Vulture to their Log House smart list | 11/02/2011 at 12:43AM |
Dave Irons added a Shape and posture note to Turkey Vulture Shape And Posture Notes | 6/18/2010 at 12:25AM |