Profile of the Turkey Vulture
Facts About the Buzzard
Sep 24, 2009 Sarah Goodwin-Nguyen
Turkey Vultures, also known as "buzzards," fulfill an important role in nature. By eating dead animals (their primary food source) they help reduce infection and disease in the wild. Far from fearing or loathing them, we should marvel at the uniqueness of the vulture among avian species.
Diet
Turkey vultures are designed to eat carcasses. They have a highly-developed sense of smell which allows them to locate a carcass within 24 hours after its death. The acids in their stomachs are able to neutralize the bacteria in fairly putrid meat, though they actually prefer their food freshly killed. They do not generally hunt, though eggs and unattended baby animals are considered fair game. When times are tough, they have even been known to dine on vegetation.
Self-Defense
Despite their fearsome appearance, they are relatively harmless birds. Their large beaks and formidable claws are more adapted to tearing into carcasses than fighting; in fact, their most often-used method of self-defense is vomiting. As you can well imagine, the odor of regurgitated carrion is enough to send most predators in search of more a more palatable meal. Vomiting also reduces the vulture's body weight slightly giving it a better chance of flying away quickly. As if their dining habits weren't disgusting enough, the turkey vulture intentionally defecates and urinates on its own legs. This helps the vulture cool its body temperature, and also kills any bacteria left on the vulture's feet after a feeding.
For Birdwatchers
Though the turkey vulture is certainly not a pretty bird, birdwatchers should take note if they have properly identified a "kettle" of vultures in the sky. Not only are they extremely graceful soaring and circling high above the earth, but they are adept at finding thermal winds to ride. Hawks and falcons often join in the kettle, knowing that the vultures will have found the "sweet spot" for optimal flying.
Breeding
Turkey vultures have been known to live up to 16 years in the wild, and into their 30s in captivity, and they frequently mate for life. On average, Turkey Vultures lay 1 to 3 eggs every spring. Babies are tended to by both parents, gaining independence at two to three months old. They roost in groups at night, but tend to prefer foraging for food on their own during the day.
Quick Facts
- Family: Cathartidae
- Species: Cathartes aura
- Average Size: 26-32 inch body, 68-72 inch wingspan
- Habitat: Found throughout the U.S. in both rural and urban areas, residing year-round in the lower, warmer states or migrating to the lower states in the winter.
- Best Places to Spot a Turkey Vulture: garbage dumps, farmlands
- Endangered, Threatened, or Protected?: Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- May Be Mistaken For: Black Vulture, Bald Eagle
For more information, visit the Vulture Society
Turkey vultures are also called buzzards.
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