Detailed information on Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

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birdylee

Delta, CO | May 2020 | Positive

I had always thought that Turkey Vultures were strictly a desert denizen. After reading the comments here, I realize they are found all over the USA.
They are a harbinger of spring here on the west slope of the Rocky Mtns. at about 5000 ft above sea level. We have a group of about 30 birds, although some split off for a while in the summer and then return. They used to roost in a dead tree about 30 or 40 feet away from my house on a little bluff but moved down the block to a live tree about 400 yards away. I do love to watch them ride the thermals between our neighborhood and the high mesa about 5 miles away.
They start hunting very early in the day but return about 5 pm to 7 pm in the evening. If it's not too windy, they fly the thermals along the bluff for fun, till sunset... read more

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westwick

Southwick, MA | August 2018 | Positive

Their return is a true sign that Spring has arrived. They are a beautiful sight as they ride the thermals majestically over the Little River and the woods in Westfield, MA searching for a meal.

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Vacula333

Allentown, PA | August 2018 | Positive

We have two mating pair that roost nearby. My roommate feeds the animals, the cats are the goal, but the other animals like to eat the same food as well. I like the turkey's company in the morning, they finish off what the cats don't, I like that idea because of the flies. So we end up feeding the vultures, even though they have to wait. I must say quite big birds they are. They have not caused any real problems. They do look like turkey's and two of ours have blond feathers on their head. We are trying to figure out which are the girls and which are the guys. Apart from the blond feathers they all look the same.

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lisa48317

Utica, MI (Zone 6a) | August 2018 | Positive

Last week, one swooped over my neighbor's house and around her yard, before landing on top of her shed with what might have been a squirrel. I didn't even know we had them in SE Michigan! I enjoyed sitting on my patio for easily 30 minutes while it ate.
I was in awe with how big the wingspan was!

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1moretree

Bethel, OH (Zone 6a) | August 2018 | Positive

I live in the southwest Ohio/Cincinnati region, and we get quite a few Turkey Vultures around here; particularly along State Rt. 52 east of town. I pass by a recently decommissioned power plant daily and very often see them roosting in the mornings on nearby steel power line towers. I think the access to early morning sun to warm up, nice thermals coming off the dark coal fields and and lots of nearby road kills makes it an ideal location for them.
A related fact, in the past several years throughout this general region I've been noticing black vultures (separate similar though slightly smaller species) becoming VERY abundant, where as I had never before seen them up here, only down south in regions like Florida. I've read that they can be aggressive towards Turkey Vultures (dri... read more

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Mr_Monopoly

North Olmsted, OH (Zone 6b) | July 2018 | Positive

Such fascinating creatures. We see plenty of them up in NE Ohio. I was at a Veterans Memorial service this past Independence day, and it was somewhat ominously ironic how a whole wake of them perched on a building nearby.

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ignatz713

White Plains, NY | May 2017 | Positive

Beautiful, efficient bird without whom the roads would be glutted with poor dead animals.

Unfortunately animals are no match for automobiles, and these carrion eaters keep the roads clean.

I salute them.

BTW, that 'ugly bald red head' has a very specific purpose, read up on these magnificent birds and all the other carrion birds of the world.

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2QandLearn

Menifee, CA (Zone 9a) | August 2015 | Positive

The first time I saw these birds I was riding my bicycle alone, and was passing by a rural school (not in session). There was absolutely no sound, & no wind or breeze . . . but . . . suddenly I began hearing leaves rustle in each of the tall Eucalyptus as I passed them by.

When I looked back over my shoulder & up, I saw 3 to 5 BIG, DARK birds with UGLY BALD RED HEADS gliding effortlessly -&- otherwise soundlessly . . . out of each of the trees in a long row!

I had long been an occasional visitor to the area, and my family was in the process of moving here. . . . I hadn't realized that Turkey Vultures were around, until that Very Eery moment!

Now --about 40 years later-- I am happy to see a family of 3 to 5 on occasion. I think when I first s... read more

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CAndersen

| December 2014 | Positive

We get to witness Turkey Vulture migration twice a year, heading South around Sept-Oct, heading North in the Spring. This is an amazing site as we have a 10 mile view over the High Desert and can see them coming for miles. They circle to rest and continue on their way. You can see these black circles way off in the distance. Soon they are over our house. They have that "dipped V" posture, the easiest way to identify from a distance.

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Chillybean

(Zone 5a) | February 2013 | Positive

As others have mentioned, this bird is great for cleaning up our roads. I do miss these birds in the cold months. They must nest near here in the summer as we will see them flying around the area looking for a meal. What a gorgeous bird in flight.

You might find it interesting that the Latin name for this bird means "purifying breeze".

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audsrz

Traverse City, MI (Zone 5a) | December 2010 | Positive

Saw a small group this spring. Took me a minute to figure out what they were up to. One would fly out over the road, ride the thermal up then come back to the tree without landing. Then another would repeat the process. The parents were teaching the chicks about thermal updrafts over pavement!

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WineofLife

Salem, MO (Zone 6a) | April 2010 | Positive

This is one of my POSITIVE THAT SPRING IS HERE announcers. I started noticing that they disappear for winter and appear when Spring gets here. So Now I watch for them! LOL They make a perfect CLEANUP CREW! Just think what the Highways would be like without them!!!

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SnowlineRose

Bend, OR (Zone 4b) | April 2010 | Positive

Turkey vultures riding afternoon thermals are often our first sign of spring here. I've heard that this flock (~25) winters in South America. They roost in a neighbor's pine trees and fly over to our ponderosas at daybreak to catch the morning sun. We fondly refer to them as "The Clean up Crew".

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KyWoods

Highland Heights, KY (Zone 6a) | August 2009 | Neutral

This bird is a protected species. Here is a website with lots of interesting info on them:
//vulturesociety.homestead.com/TVFacts.html

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antsinmypants

Marietta, MS (Zone 7b) | April 2009 | Positive

I've been trying to get some good pictures of this bird for a while now. I enjoy watching them. I see them often in the road eating 'road kill' or circling in the air. They will fly away when you approach, but quickly resume 'dining'. I just recently saw about 10 of them sitting in trees. Was the first time I ever saw them just sitting around.

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

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