About the Turkey Vulture
The turkey vulture is the most widespread of the New World vultures. One of three species in the genus Cathartes of the family Cathartidae, the turkey vulture ranges from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. It inhabits a variety of open and semi-open areas, including subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, and deserts.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
A large bird, it has a wingspan of 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft) a length of 62–81 cm (24–32 in), and weight of 0.8 to 2.41 kg (1.8 to 5.3 lb). Birds in the northern limit of the species' range average larger in size than the vulture from the neotropics. 124 birds from Florida averaged 2 kg (4.4 lb) while 65 and 130 birds from Venezuela were found to average 1.22 and 1.45 kg (2.7 and 3.2 lb), respectively. It displays minimal sexual dimorphism; sexes are identical in plumage and in coloration, and are similar in size.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Lesser Yellow-headed VultureCathartes burrovianusThis is the lightest and smallest of the extant New World vultures despite sometimes measuring at least as long and longer winged than black vultures.
Greater Yellow-headed VultureCathartes melambrotusThe greater yellow-headed vulture is 64–75 centimetres (25–30 in) in length, with a wingspan of 166–178 centimetres (65–70 in), a tail length of 25–29 centimetres (9.8–11.4 in) and a weight averaging 1.65 kilograms (3.6 lb).
Side by side: Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture vs Turkey Vulture
Learn the Turkey Vulture for real
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