67-year annual average: 921992-2001: 206Record year: 367 (1999)Best chance to see: Early November.Longterm trends: Increasing slowly, probably in response to northward expansion of breeding range into southern Canada.
With their distinctive wrinkled red heads and impressive six-foot wingspans turkey vultures are a common sight soaring majestically over open fields and country roads. But just how long do these unique raptors live? Let’s take a look at what’s known about the lifespan and longevity of turkey vultures.
Average Lifespan of Turkey Vultures
Most sources estimate the average lifespan of turkey vultures in the wild to be around 20 years. However, their maximum lifespan appears to be over 24 years according to bird banding records.
For example, the Elmwood Park Zoo reports the oldest known turkey vulture was at least 24 years and 4 months old when it was found in Massachusetts. This indicates turkey vultures have the potential to live into their mid-twenties or even longer in rare cases.
Compared to similar-sized raptors, 20 years is a relatively long average lifespan. Birds of prey face many threats in the wild, so reaching old age is an accomplishment Eagles, hawks, and falcons typically have average lifespans in the 10-15 year range
Factors Affecting Turkey Vulture Lifespan
Several key factors influence longevity and mortality rates in turkey vultures:
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Food availability – As scavengers, turkey vultures rely on finding carrion to survive. Food scarcity increases starvation risk.
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Disease – Viruses, bacteria, and parasites acquired from eating carrion can be deadly Their strong immune systems help counteract this threat.
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Natural predators – Predation on adults is uncommon, but eggs and nestlings may be taken by mammals and other birds.
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Human activity – Collisions with vehicles and aircraft, as well as lead poisoning and pesticides, are anthropogenic hazards.
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Weather events – Extended periods of severe weather and storms can decreased food availability and survival odds.
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Competition – Turkey vultures often compete with black vultures for access to carcasses.
The turkey vulture’s scavenger diet provides abundant calories when carrion is available. This reliable food source helps increase lifespan potential in the species. Their ability to find food via keen eyesight and sense of smell gives them an advantage over other scavengers.
Lifespan Differences Between Sexes
There is little data on differences in lifespan between male and female turkey vultures specifically. Among birds of prey in general, females tend to live longer than males on average.
Theoretically, male vultures may face higher mortality due to the energy costs of courtship displays and defending territories. Larger female raptors are also sometimes better equipped to survive winters and periods of prey scarcity.
However, more research would be needed to confirm if such patterns hold true for turkey vultures as well. Banding data doesn’t always record the sex of individual birds, which poses a challenge for this type of analysis.
Lifespan in Captivity
Turkey vultures have lived over 30 years in captivity according to records. The longest-lived captive turkey vulture reached 32 years old.
In zoos, falconry facilities, and nature centers that provide regular food, enrichment and veterinary care, turkey vultures are protected from many natural threats. This allows them to more fully reach their lifespan potential.
The trade-off is that captive birds don’t develop the robust foraging skills and instincts of wild vultures. Habitat loss also means there are fewer suitable areas to release captive-raised turkey vultures into the wild.
Hallmarks of Aging in Turkey Vultures
As turkey vultures grow older, some subtle changes occur in their appearance and abilities. Veterinarians and rehabbers trained in aging birds may recognize these hallmarks of aging:
- Yellowing of the beak and eyes
- Scruffy, discolored feathers and bald spots
- Cataracts or eye injuries that impair vision
- Arthritis limiting mobility and grip strength
- Draining wounds and slower healing
- Difficulty capturing and handling food
- Lower activity levels and weight loss
Their iconic wrinkled red heads become even more pronounced and less fleshy over time. Learning to identify aged individuals helps researchers better understand turkey vulture lifespan, mortality, and senescence in the wild.
Importance of Long-Lived Vultures
The long average and maximum lifespans of turkey vultures are beneficial evolutionary adaptations. It takes up to 2-3 years for turkey vultures to fully mature and start breeding. With a lifespan reaching 20 years or more, most adults have many seasons to successfully raise young.
Elderly vultures are expert foragers. Their longevity means generations of acquired knowledge about seasonal food sources are maintained in populations. This helps ensure stability and resilience for the future of these ecologically vital scavenger species.
So next time you observe turkey vultures elegantly soaring overhead, consider that these birds wheeling through the sky may be 15-20 years old or more! Their impressive lifespan is key to maintaining thriving populations of one of nature’s great cleanup crews.
A.K.A. T., Turkey Buzzard
Field marks: Large, dark brown, heavy-bodied and small-headed, carrion-eating bird, with a longish tail and two-toned underwings. Wings held above the horizontal in a strong dihedral, or “V.”
Flight behavior: Typically migrates in flocks of up to hundreds of birds. Soars extensively on migration. Often rocks from side to side while soaring. Rarely flaps. Uses thermals; rarely migrates early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Local populations present through early December.
What Size is a Turkey Vulture?
- Belong to the family Cathartidae, a group of 7 species of New World Vultures.
- Are so named because their red, featherless heads resemble those of Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).
- Although they feed almost exclusively on carrion (dead animals), they sometimes take live prey.
- Are the most migratory of all vultures.
- Their plumage is dark brown, not black.
- When flying, Turkey Vultures, hold their wings in a “V” above their backs, creating a slight dihedral that stabilizes their flight in turbulance.
- Often roost in groups of several hundred birds.
- Have an acute sense of smell, which enables them to find carrion by both smell and sight.
- Communicate vocally in hisses and grunts.
- Nestling Turkey Vultures projectile vomit to defend themselves.
- Are unable to carry off their carrion.
Turkey Vultures
FAQ
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