The turkey vulture is a widespread and distinct-looking bird of prey. And there are many more amazing things about this special species. So we’ve collected some of the best turkey vulture pictures to show you just how unique they are.
Turkey Vultures Sunning
To warm up their bodies turkey vultures will sun themselves. Typically this is done in the early morning. They will sit with their wings spread wide, which helps to increase the amount of surface area of their body that is coming into contact with the sun’s warm rays. This is known as the “horaltic pose”.
Turkey Vultures Eating A Dead Bird
Turkey vultures are scavengers that feed on rotting animal carcasses. This helps to not only keep the environment clean but also to stop the spread of harmful bacteria and diseases. They are sometimes seen by the side of the road eating roadkill or near bodies of water feeding on fish that have washed up on the shore.
However because they are quite shy birds, there aren’t many turkey vulture pictures that show them eating in the wild. Instead, most are taken in zoos, which is also where scientists have learned much of what they know about this species.
Juvenile Turkey Vulture With Adults
You can tell a young turkey vulture apart from older birds by its coloration. Juveniles have a gray head along with a dark-colored beak and feet. However, once they reach around fifteen months of age their head and feet will turn red and their beak will turn white. Because of their dark colors, young turkey vultures are often misidentified as black vultures.
Turkey Vulture Roost
Turkey vultures are year-round communal roosters. While they typically forage alone during the day, at night they roost in large numbers. This helps to protect them from predators. The vultures usually prefer to roost in large dead trees or manmade structures such as cell phone towers.
Turkey Vulture Head
Sometimes this species is called the Red-headed turkey vulture to help distinguish it from its close relatives the yellow-headed and the greater yellow-headed vulture. Its distinct red head looks quite similar to that of a turkey which is how it got its name.
Turkey Vulture In Flight
When seen from below a flying turkey vulture can be identified by its silvery-gray flight feathers which stand out against the dark wing lining and the black feathers of its body. Its head looks small in comparison to its body and the wings are held in a wide “V,” shape.
Large Turkey Vulture
Turkey vultures are an excellent example of Bergmann’s Rule. This states that the further north that some species live the larger in size they get, because of the colder climate. This is certainly true for the turkey vulture as birds that live in northern regions are bigger and heavier than those that live in warmer southern regions.
Pair Of Turkey Vultures
Both male and female turkey vultures are similar in size. This is unlike many other birds of prey, such as eagles, where the female is larger than the male. Both sexes also have the same colors and markings.
Turkey Vulture Circling
The wide-winged yet lightweight turkey vulture is built perfectly for soaring and circling on updrafts of warm air as they search for food. Their incredible sense of smell allows them to find animal carcasses that are not visible from above. They can actually detect the gases given off by decaying animals within the first twelve to twenty-four hours of death.
Turkey Vulture Beak
The turkey vulture’s beak is long and hooked to help it tear away flesh. It is white in color which contrasts with the dark color of its body. And because the beak is not divided by a septum, when looking at pictures of a turkey vulture which are taken from the side, instead of head-on, you can actually see directly through it.
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