The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), or turkey buzzard, is a familiar sight across much of North America. They breed as far north as Southern Canada and range all the way to the southern tip of South America. These birds are often seen rocking from side to side as they soar effortlessly while looking for a meal. Birdwatchers might be puzzled by the disappearance of these birds at certain times, and the sudden increase at other times.
Depending on which population they are part of, turkey vultures can be resident, nomadic, partly migratory, or long-distance migrants. Turkey vultures are resident or only partly migratory in the south and east of The United States. Populations in the North and west of the United States are long-distance migrants, however, that fly as far south as Colombia and Ecuador.
Migrant birds may spend the winter mixing with resident birds or ‘leapfrog’ over other migratory populations to avoid overpopulating an area. Read on to learn more about the migration habits of the unique and distinctive turkey vulture.
The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is a common sight across much of North America, known for its distinctive bare red head and dark plumage. But while these scavengers may be year-round residents in some regions turkey vultures in other areas embark on remarkable seasonal migrations covering thousands of miles. In this in-depth look we’ll examine the migration habits of this widespread species.
Partial Migration Based on Latitude
Overall, the turkey vulture demonstrates a pattern of partial migration, meaning some populations migrate while others do not. According to researchers, their migratory tendencies follow a distinct geographic pattern:
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Northern turkey vultures are highly migratory, traveling relatively long distances between breeding and wintering grounds.
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Southern populations located in the U.S. south of Virginia are largely non-migratory and remain in the same regions year-round.
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Turkey vultures in intermediate latitudes show mixed migration patterns, with some individuals staying put and others migrating various distances.
Driving Factors Behind Migration
What triggers turkey vultures to migrate in northern latitudes while southern birds remain in one place? Several key factors drive their migratory decisions:
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Food availability – In colder northern climates, food sources become scarcer in winter due to animal hibernation and frozen carcasses. Migrating south provides access to ample food year-round.
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Breeding – Long daylight hours support breeding in summer for northern birds. Moving south in winter allows them to save energy rather than endure frigid temperatures.
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Weather – Vultures rely on updrafts to soar, which are reduced during winter in the north. Mild southern climates offer prime soaring conditions all year.
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Molting – The energy demands of replacing feathers are easier to meet in warm, southern environments with abundant food.
So in essence, migration provides an optimal balance of factors like food, weather, breeding, and energy costs for northern turkey vulture populations.
Seasonal Movement Patterns
The seasonal migration movements of turkey vultures follow predictable seasonal patterns:
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Fall – Northern vultures begin migrating south in August and September as temperatures cool, days shorten, and food becomes scarcer. Their journeys continue through October and November.
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Winter – Most northern turkey vultures overwinter in southern U.S. states from North Carolina to Texas between November and February, though some may migrate as far as South America.
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Spring – Return northward migrations start in March and April as breeding instincts intensify. Birds arrive back on northern breeding grounds by May.
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Summer – Turkey vultures occupy northern breeding territories to take advantage of long daylight hours for nesting and raising young between May and August.
These movements showcase how turkey vultures strategically time their migration to align with seasonal conditions and resources.
Remarkable Migration Distances
While southern turkey vultures stay put, their northern counterparts embark on incredible long-distance migrations each year. Some key figures illustrating their travel distances include:
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Northern vultures migrate 2,000 miles or more between breeding and wintering grounds.
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Birds in the northeast U.S. and Canada migrate to southeastern states like Florida and Georgia. This covers 1,500+ miles each way.
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Midwestern vultures fly to Texas and Mexico, journeys of 2,000+ miles.
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In the west, vultures that breed in Oregon, Idaho and surrounding states migrate all the way to Central America. Their migrations can exceed 4,000 miles round trip.
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Some western Turkey Vultures even make it as far as northern South America, winging over 6,000 miles between continents.
These lengthy migrations demonstrate the turkey vulture’s exceptional stamina and navigational abilities. Their efforts allow them to thrive across an expansive range stretching from Canada to Chile.
Fascinating Migration Behaviors
Several interesting behavioral adaptations come into play during turkey vulture migrations:
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Soaring skills – To travel thousands of miles, turkey vultures rely extensively on soaring flight, circling upward on rising hot air to minimize energy expenditure.
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Following coasts and mountains – Their migrations closely track coastlines, river valleys and mountain ranges which provide helpful uplifting air currents.
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Rooftop rest stops – Migrating flocks rest together on rooftops, cliffs and dead trees in between lengthy flights.
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Solitary vs. group travel – While turkey vultures are highly social at food sources, they migrate individually by day but gather in communal roosts overnight.
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Fast flight – They migrate during daylight hours at speeds averaging around 40 mph but can reach 70 mph with strong tailwinds.
The turkey vulture’s energy-saving soaring, navigational edge and social habits all contribute to their success as long-distance migrants.
Continent-Spanning Connectivity
The turkey vulture’s enormous range spanning from Canada to Chile is maintained through annual migrations stitching populations together across vast distances. Their loyalty to ancestral migration paths connects breeding and wintering grounds across continents. Losing these connections could jeopardize the health of the overall species by fragmenting populations. Protecting migration stopover habitats across North and South America ensures turkey vultures retain their continent-spanning lifeline from north to south.
So while individual turkey vultures may remain in a fixed location year-round, the enduring seasonal odysseys undertaken by migrating birds are crucial for sustaining thriving continental-scale populations linked through migration’s continuous pathways.
The Wonders of Turkey Vulture Migration
For a species many view as a commonplace scavenger, the turkey vulture is truly an amazing long-distance migrant. The seasonal endurance flights undertaken along coastlines and mountain ranges by these unique soaring specialists are a wonder of the natural world. Gaining a deeper appreciation of their migration habits and routes can inspire greater efforts to ensure the protection of these incredible journeys for generations to come.
Do turkey vultures migrate in flocks?
Turkey vultures usually migrate in small groups that are often known as kettles. In the fall when the birds are migrating south, they can become concentrated where the landmass narrows in central America, creating high densities of individuals numbering in the thousands.
A small flock of migrating Turkey Vultures
How do turkey vultures migrate?
Turkey vultures are able to migrate with minimal effort by using thermal energy to provide lift. In this way, they can travel long distances by soaring and gliding, without needing to propel themselves by flapping. The updrafts they use develop on warm, sunny days and are most pronounced along ridgelines, shorelines, and other geological features.
Turkey vultures avoid migrating early in the morning or on rainy or overcast days when thermals aren’t available.
Studies have shown that their heart rate remains surprisingly low in flight, indicating that this means of flight uses very little energy. Turkey vultures fly at various heights, sometimes rising to nearly 20,000 feet (6,000m) to pass above storm systems, and they avoid flying over large bodies of water.
Turkey Vultures use updrafts to minimise effort
About: Turkey Vultures and Migration
FAQ
What time of year do turkey vultures migrate?
Where do turkey vultures migrate from?
Do turkey vultures stay in one area?
Why are turkey vultures flying around my house?
Are turkey vultures migratory?
Turkey vultures usually migrate in small groups that are often known as kettles. In the fall when the birds are migrating south, they can become concentrated where the landmass narrows in central America, creating high densities of individuals numbering in the thousands. Are all turkey vultures migratory?
Where do turkey vultures live?
The turkey vulture ( Cathartes aura ), or turkey buzzard, is a familiar sight across much of North America. They breed as far north as Southern Canada and range all the way to the southern tip of South America. These birds are often seen rocking from side to side as they soar effortlessly while looking for a meal.
Where do turkey vultures spend the winter?
Migratory turkey vultures from the western United States spend the winter in Central and South America. Turkey vultures that migrate from the northeast do not migrate quite as far, traveling south to overwinter in Arkansas, Virginia, Kentucky, and further to the southeast.
When do Turkey Vultures come back?
But across much of North America, an earlier sign of spring is the return of Turkey Vultures. In the U.S., you may see them as early as February or March. Unlike most of our returning birds, which migrate at night, Turkey Vultures migrate like hawks — in the daytime. They rise on warm spring updrafts, with a distinctive teeter from side to side.