Knowing what the turkey vulture eats is one of the most intriguing things about this bird. The fact that they eat dead animals is no secret, but few know when and where they look for carcasses, as well as the kind of carrion they prefer to eat. Read on if learning about the turkey vulture’s diet interests you. Table of Contents
The turkey vulture feeds nearly exclusively on carrion. They feed on carcasses of all types of animals and sizes ranging from washed-up minnows, and mice, to cows, and even the carcasses of washed-up whales. The turkey vulture’s remarkable sense of smell allows it to find even a shrew on the forest floor of a dense-canopied forest. Turkey vultures are opportunists feeding on what’s available to them in the landscape and through the annual cycle.
Turkey vultures are a common sight in many areas, often seen circling lazily overhead or feasting on roadkill Their wrinkly bald heads and sharp beaks make them appear somewhat sinister, leading some cat owners to wonder – could a turkey vulture attack and eat my feline friend?
As it turns out while these large scavenging birds may look intimidating, they do not pose much of a threat to cats. Turkey vultures have a very specialized diet and method of food acquisition that makes cats an unlikely target.
An Overview of Turkey Vultures
Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) are found throughout much of North and South America. They have an impressive 6 foot wingspan and adults weigh 4-5 pounds on average. Turkey vultures have excellent senses of smell, allowing them to detect gasses emitted by decaying carcasses from up to a mile away.
Turkey vultures play a crucial ecological role as scavengers, feeding on carrion. They help decompose dead animals and prevent the spread of diseases. Their bald heads allow them to feed inside rotting carcasses without getting deadly infections.
The Turkey Vulture Diet – Strict Scavengers
Turkey vultures are obligate scavengers, meaning they eat only carrion – the decaying flesh of dead animals. Carrion makes up over 90% of their diet. They rarely hunt or kill live prey.
Turkey vultures prefer fresh carcasses but will eat highly putrid remains when necessary. Small rodents like mice and rats are a frequent food source. They also regularly eat rabbits, opossums, raccoons, deer and other mammal carcasses. Turkey vultures supplement their diet with dead reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and even discarded vegetable matter.
Turkey Vultures Do Not Hunt Cats
There are several reasons why domestic cats are highly unlikely to end up as turkey vulture food:
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Incapable hunters – Turkey vultures lack the sharp talons and powerful beaks needed to capture and kill agile, live prey. They are scavengers, not predators.
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Eat only carrion – Well-fed pet cats are not likely to simply keel over and conveniently provide a fresh turkey vulture meal. The vultures strictly eat what is already dead.
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No threat to adults – Healthy, adult cats are fast, agile and equipped with sharp claws and teeth. They can readily defend themselves from the clumsy, weak attacks of a vulture.
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Can’t lift adults – Turkey vultures weigh only 4-5 pounds on average. They do not have the strength to lift an adult cat off the ground.
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Prefer small prey – The scavenged carcasses turkey vultures prefer are smaller animals like mice, rats and squirrels – not full grown cats.
So while turkey vultures will gladly eat cat remains if they stumble across them, they do not hunt down our feline friends. But could kittens or very small cats potentially be at risk?
Exceptions: Kittens and Small Cats
There are a few hypothetical scenarios where turkey vultures could potentially threaten smaller cats:
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Newborn kittens could be vulnerable – However, kittens this young should not be outdoors unattended.
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Injured/disabled cats may allow an opportunistic attack – But any debilitated cat should be cared for indoors.
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Very small cat breeds like singapuras under 5 lbs could be overpowered – But even small cats are quick and equipped with claws for defense.
Overall, the odds of a turkey vulture snatching up any cat other than a helpless kitten are extremely slim. Plus, responsible cat owners already keep vulnerable kittens safely confined.
Documented Turkey Vulture Attacks on Cats
There are no verified reports of turkey vultures killing healthy, adult cats. Most documented vulture attacks involve farm animals like calves, lambs and deer fawns up to several days old. These newborns can be vulnerable immediately after birth before they gain strength and mobility.
Among the few reported cases of turkey vultures targeting pets, most involve very small dogs, rabbits, or other animals – not cats. One interesting historical account describes a very small kitten carried away by a vulture in the 1800s. However, at under 1 pound, that kitten was likely a highly vulnerable newborn.
Overall, records indicate turkey vulture attacks on cats of any age are extremely rare to nonexistent. Their scavenger diet and feeding habits make cats an unlikely target.
Other Threats to Cats
While turkey vultures don’t pose a significant risk, there are some other animal threats cat owners should be aware of:
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Coyotes – A major predator of cats, especially in suburban areas. Usually hunt at night.
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Hawks – Larger hawks and owls can grab cats and small dogs. Typically take small pets under 20 pounds.
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Other birds – Some large predatory birds like eagles occasionally take cats. Mainly kittens and small cats.
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Dogs – Roaming dogs kill cats on occasion, usually by biting and shaking them.
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Vehicles – Cars and trucks are probably the greatest danger to outdoor cats.
The best way to protect cats is to keep them safely confined indoors, or provide access to well-secured outdoor enclosures for fresh air. Supervision is advised when cats are outside. Proper identification tags and microchips also help retrieve escaped pets.
Key Takeaways on Turkey Vultures and Cats
To recap the main points:
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Turkey vultures scavenge carrion – they do not hunt live prey.
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Adult cats are fast, agile and armed with sharp claws – more than a match for a vulture.
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There are no documented cases of turkey vultures killing healthy adult cats.
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Kittens could be vulnerable but should be kept safely indoors.
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Small cat breeds under 5 pounds could be at slightly higher risk but can still readily defend themselves.
So while turkey vultures will gladly eat your cat after the fact, they are extremely unlikely to hasten the event themselves. These scavengers play an important role in the ecosystem and help clean up carrion that could spread disease. Despite their ominous appearance, turkey vultures are no threat to our feline companions. Cat owners can rest easy knowing their pet is safe from these misunderstood scavenging birds.
What animals make up the diet of the Turkey vultures?
The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) feeds on the carcasses of animals that are found in the area where it forages for food. Essentially, its diet consists of the types and amounts of the animals that live in a certain region, which are expected to die at similar rates.
According to studies that examined the pellets regurgitated by turkey vultures, its diet includes carrion from common animals without discrimination based on size. Turkey vultures eat “prey” that ranges from the size of a mouse to the size of a cow.
| Domestic Animals (weight in pounds) | Wild Animals (weight in pounds) |
| Domestic Cats (8-11 lb) Dog (16-45 lb) Horse (600 lb) Pig (300-700 lb) Cattle (1,600-2,400 lb) Sheep (150-350 lb) Poultry (5.7 lb) | Deer (150 lb) skunk (4.4 lb) Racoon (8-20 lb) Rats (2.6-8.1 lb) Mouse (0.7 lb) Pocket mouse (0.02 lb) Squirrels (1-1.5 lb) Rabbits (2.5 lb) Moles and Shrews (0.01-0.02 lb) Opossums (5-14 lb) Birds (0.03-0.07 lb) Small snake (0.5-1 lb) |
The turkey vulture is the ultimate scavenger
In its most basic definition, a scavenger is an animal that has evolved to rely on eating already dead animals rather than killing them directly.
Most scavengers are meat-eaters. They can occasionally act as predators but happens under certain circumstances, such as during periods of food scarcity or with prey that is nearly dead already.
The turkey vulture is the ultimate definition of a scavenger. They are well-suited for eating dead animals. Turkey vultures have an excellent sense of smell and eyesight, allowing them to sniff and spot carrion from above.
Compared to other birds of prey, the turkey vulture has weak talons and beaks because they do not need strong, sharp talons and beaks for hunting. They are bald because it prevents pieces of carrion that might be infected with pathogenic bacteria from sticking to their heads.
HUGE Bird EATS a CAT!!! (Turkey Vulture???) IN THE HOOD!
FAQ
Will a turkey vulture attack a cat?
Do turkey vultures eat live animals?
Are turkey vultures aggressive?
Do buzzards eat dead cats?
Can a turkey vulture eat a cat?
Even though a turkey vulture is a lot bigger than a cat, they know the risk of trying to eat a cat is way too high. A kitten might be at risk, though, so you may not want to leave a small kitten walking around your yard when vultures are around. Dogs – Dogs, even small dogs, can make a lot of noise when something’s up.
Do turkey vultures eat birds?
In some cases, turkey vultures have been seen killing and eating living small mammals and birds. Some documented examples include rats, mice, rabbits, squirrels, bats, and small passerines. While they may not actively hunt healthy adults, turkey vultures can sometimes overpower weaker juveniles and nestlings.
Will a turkey vulture take down my pet?
Most of the time, turkey vultures will only eat very small animals that aren’t moving a lot. They prefer easy targets. If you’re worried about whether a turkey vulture will take down your pet, we’ve put together a list of animals and some information on if they are vulnerable to an attack.
Do turkey vultures kill their prey?
Turkey vultures do not kill their prey and likely could not do so even if they were so inclined. Despite their size, these vultures are not very powerful. Their feet do not have the crushing power of a raptor’s talons. Plus, they do not fly very swiftly. Turkey vultures are adapted to eat carrion rather than hunt and kill prey.