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Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
At-a-Glance
• Incubation: 38-41 days
• Clutch Size: 2 eggs
• Young Fledge: 66-88 days after hatching
• Typical Foods: carrion
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Description
The turkey vulture is a large black bird with a six-foot wingspan. At a glance, one might think they are bald. But actually, they have a lot of small feathers on their head which is an adaptation to help keep clean when sticking their heads into the guts of a dead animal full of maggots. The adult has a bright red head and the immature vultures have a black head. In flight this vulture can be distinguished from hawks and crows because it soars extensively, holding its wings in a broad "V."
Habitat and Habits
This bird does a great service as a scavenger or garbage collector, helping to keep the countryside free of carrion. They also have a sense of smell, rare in the bird kingdom, which helps them locate their next meal. At night, vultures often gather in large roosts. Preferred habitat includes deciduous forests and woodlands.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Two large white eggs, heavily marked with dark brown, are laid in a rock crevice or hollow tree. There is no nesting material or lining. |
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