Look for Turkey Vultures as they cruise open areas including mixed farmland, forest, and rangeland. They are particularly noticeable along roadsides and at landfills. At night, they roost in trees, on rocks, and other high secluded spots. Back to top
Turkey Vultures eat carrion, which they find largely by their excellent sense of smell. Mostly they eat mammals but are not above snacking on reptiles, other birds, amphibians, fish, and even invertebrates. They prefer freshly dead animals, but often have to wait for their meal to soften in order to pierce the skin. They are deft foragers, targeting the softest bits first and are even known to leave aside the scent glands of dead skunks. Thankfully for them, vultures appear to have excellent immune systems, happily feasting on carcasses without contracting botulism, anthrax, cholera, or salmonella. Unlike their Black Vulture relatives, Turkey Vultures almost never attack living prey.Back to top
Turkey Vultures nest in rock crevices, caves, ledges, thickets, mammal burrows and hollow logs, fallen trees, abandoned hawk or heron nests, and abandoned buildings. These nest sites are typically much cooler (by 13°F or more) than surroundings, and isolated from human traffic or disturbance. While they often feed near humans, Turkey Vultures prefer to nest far away from civilization.
Turkey Vultures don’t build full nests. They may scrape out a spot in the soil or leaf litter, pull aside obstacles, or arrange scraps of vegetation or rotting wood. Once found, many of these nest sites may be used repeatedly for a decade or more.
The Turkey Vultures distinctive slow, teetering flight style probably helps the bird soar at low altitudes, where it is best able to use its nose to find carrion. At other times they may soar high on thermals and form mixed flocks or kettles. On the ground they move with ungainly hops and are less agile than Black Vultures. Often, especially in the morning, they can be seen standing erect, wings spread in the sun, presumably to warm up, cool off, or dry off. Outside of the breeding season, Turkey Vultures form roosts of dozens to a hundred individuals. When Turkey Vultures court, pairs perform a “follow flight” display where one bird leads the other through twisting, turning, and flapping flights for a minute or so, repeated over periods as long as 3 hours. Migrating flocks can number in the thousands. At carcasses, several Turkey Vultures may gather but typically only one feeds at a time, chasing the others off and making them wait their turn. Despite their size, Turkey Vultures are often driven off by smaller Black Vultures, Crested Caracaras, Zone-tailed Hawks, and other species.Back to top
Turkey Vultures increased in number across North America approximately 1.8% per year from 1966 to 2019, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 28 million and rates them 5 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, indicating a species of low conservation concern. These birds were threatened by side-effects of the pesticide DDT, but today they are among the most common large carnivorous birds in North America. However, because they live on rotting meat, like California Condors, they can fall victim to poisons or lead in dead animals. The main concern is lead shot that ends up in carcasses or gut piles left by hunters. The animals eat the shot and eventually suffer lead poisoning. Other threats include trapping and killing due to erroneous fears that they spread disease. Far from it, vultures actually reduce the spread of disease.
Kirk, David A. and Michael J. Mossman. (1998). Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), version 2.0. In The Birds of North America (P. G. Rodewald, editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Lutmerding, J. A. and A. S. Love. (2020). Longevity records of North American birds. Version 2020. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Bird Banding Laboratory 2020.
Sauer, J. R., D. K. Niven, J. E. Hines, D. J. Ziolkowski Jr., K. L. Pardieck, J. E. Fallon, and W. A. Link (2019). The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis 1966–2019. Version 2.07.2019. USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, USA.
Sibley, D. A. (2014). The Sibley Guide to Birds, second edition. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY, USA.
Turkey vultures are a common sight across much of the United States, circling lazily overhead on their large wobbly wings. But despite their ubiquity in many areas, some people have raised concerns about the conservation status of these unique birds. Are turkey vultures endangered or under threat of extinction?
The short answer is no – turkey vultures remain widespread and abundant across their range, from Canada through South America But they do face a variety of anthropogenic threats and have a complicated conservation history
Turkey Vulture Population Status
Turkey vultures are currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Their global population is extremely large, estimated at around 18 million mature individuals. Their breeding range covers a massive 28 million square kilometers. So while turkey vulture populations in certain localities may fluctuate or even experience occasional declines, the species as a whole appears to be thriving.
In the United States, broadscale surveys like the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) have revealed increasing turkey vulture numbers over recent decades. Partners in Flight estimates the U.S. and Canadian turkey vulture population at around 15 million. BBS data shows an average annual increase of over 2% per year from 1966 to 2015. So by all available metrics, turkey vultures are not endangered in the U.S. or across their range.
Past Persecution and Conservation Actions
While secure now, turkey vultures have faced threats in the past that jeopardized their populations and led to legal protections. Up through the 1960s, many ranchers and farmers viewed turkey vultures as pests and killed them intentionally, believing they preyed on newborn livestock. Thousands were shot illegally each year, causing declines, especially in California.
But research disproved accusations of turkey vultures killing live animals, finding they prefer scavenging carrion. Turkey vultures now receive strict year-round protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, passed in 1918. The Act made shooting, poisoning, or disturbing turkey vultures illegal without a permit. Some states like California also imposed fines and jail time for harming turkey vultures. These conservation actions allowed their numbers to rebound.
While turkey vultures no longer seem endangered, maintaining legal protections remains important for shielding them from future persecution. Their natural ecology keeps populations relatively sensitive to excess mortalities.
Ongoing Threats to Turkey Vulture Populations
Though no longer deliberately targeted, turkey vultures face a few key ongoing threats:
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Collisions – Turkey vultures are vulnerable to collisions with vehicles when scavenging roadkill. Their low and wobbly flight pattern also increases collisions with buildings, wind turbines, and power lines.
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Poisonings – Scavenging on poisoned baits intended for predators, rodenticides, and lead bullets in carcasses threatens turkey vultures. Even a local poisoning event can wipe out many birds at once.
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Habitat Loss – Development, construction, and resource extraction can disturb nesting sites and reduce turkey vulture breeding habitat. Their life history makes populations slow to recolonize altered areas.
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Disease – Turkey vultures seem fairly resilient to pathogens affecting other wildlife and livestock. But strains of avian influenza, West Nile virus, and aspergillosis fungus can still impact turkey vultures.
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Climate Change – Turkey vultures already occupy a large climatic range. But increased drought, severe weather, and altered distributions of carrion availability may affect populations in complex ways.
With continued conservation action to preserve habitat, limit poisoning risks, and protect nest sites, turkey vulture populations appear poised to remain secure into the future. Their unique scavenging lifestyle contributes quiet but important ecosystem services. While not endangered, maintaining turkey vulture numbers requires diligent monitoring and proactive management of emerging threats. With ample carrion to feed on, the skies will continue to be graced by soaring flocks of these distinctively adapted birds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are turkey vultures threatened or endangered?
No, turkey vultures are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and their global population size is estimated at 18 million. They remain widespread and generally abundant across their range.
How can I help conserve turkey vultures?
Avoid using pesticides or poisons that can accumulate in prey and poison scavengers. Dispose of hazardous materials properly. Report injured vultures or illegal persecution of turkey vultures to wildlife authorities. Support vulture conservation programs through donations or volunteering.
Why are turkey vultures important?
As scavengers, turkey vultures provide vital ecosystem services by cleaning up carcasses and reducing spread of diseases. Removing them would have negative cascading impacts.
What’s the population trend for turkey vultures?
Surveys indicate turkey vulture numbers are on the rise in recent decades, likely thanks to legal protections and reduced persecution. Partners in Flight estimates a growing population of 15 million in the U.S. and Canada.
Do turkey vultures face any conservation threats?
Main threats include collisions, poisonings, habitat loss around nest sites, and emerging diseases. But proactive conservation measures should help turkey vulture populations remain resilient.
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