Common name: TURKEY BUZZARD
Scientific name: Cathartes aura
Identifying characteristics:
The species has all-black plumage, with some blue, green, and purple iridescnce, and a small, unfeathered red head with white bill. When viewed on the wing, the silvery-gray primaries and the long tail extend beyond the pale feet and legs. The shallow "V" flight profile with virtually no flapping is very distinctive.
Range:
The Turkey Vulture is found throughout North America as far north as southern Canada. It migrates in fall as far south as far South America.
Habitat:
It occurs in a wide variety of habitats, including desert, open plains, forests, and jungle.
Nesting:
No nest is built. The birds lay usually two eggs in a stump, hollow log, cave, or dense thicket.
Feeding habits:
The Turkey Vulture has the most highly developed sense of smell of any member of the vulture family, and is always first to arrive at a potential food source. Carrion of all sorts, from fresh to putrid, is taken with relish. The bird seems to prefer small animals, but isn't really fussy. It will also each nestlings and eggs of other birds. Claims that is takes livestock are virtually groundless.
Conservation status:
Thriving.
