The identification of Turkey vultures is relatively straightforward. Turkey vultures look black from a distance, but upon closer examination, they have black and blackish-brown plumage. This article discusses and illustrates the recognition of turkey vultures in flight, perched, their typical behavior, preferred habitat, and range. Table of Contents
The turkey vulture looks black from a distance, but it has parts that are black and blackish-brown. The back, neck, breasts, and belly are black. In perched birds, the folded wings consist of wing coverts and flight feathers and are a dark brown color. Turkey vultures, male and female, have unfeathered redheads and similar plumages, which makes it impossible to distinguish them solely on their appearance.
From afar, the plumage of a turkey vulture appears black. When viewed up close, subtle differences in tones of black and blackish-brown can be discerned.
The neck area, breast, and belly are predominantly black. The back (mantle) is black with hints of brown. The wing coverts on the folded wings are dark-brown edged with varying amounts of lighter brown. The secondary flight feathers visible on the folded wing are dark with a varying amount of brown edging.
There is a good deal of variation in the plumage of turkey vultures. Adult birds in fresh plumages appear darker than browner and faded old plumages.
The turkey vultures have unfeathered red heads, which is the bird’s most distinctive feature. The head looks small relative to the size of the bird.
There is no sexual dimorphism in turkey vultures, so males and females look the same. Even though females are slightly larger than males, it is impossible to distinguish males from females by physical appearance and plumage.
Despite the turkey vulture being a common and familiar bird, little is known about its plumage and molt cycles.
Sailing on widespread wings across the open skies, turkey vultures are a common sight in many areas. But if you’ve never gotten a close-up view, you may wonder – what do turkey vultures look like? Let’s explore the distinctive traits that make these bald-headed birds instantly recognizable
A Large, Broad-Winged Silhouette
The most noticeable feature of a turkey vulture in flight is its sheer size With wingspans reaching up to 6 feet, these birds are larger than eagles when soaring overhead. The wings are long and broad, held in a slight V-shape called a dihedral. This steadies their flight and enables effortless riding of warm updrafts and thermals. Their long, wedge-shaped tails trail behind. When perched, the wings reach beyond the tail Overall, turkey vultures have a gull-like shape, distinguished by their proportionately small heads.
Mostly Dark Plumage with Paler Undersides
Turkey vultures appear almost black at a distance, but their bodies are actually dark brownish-black, with a featherless red head. The undersides of their primary flight feathers are contrastingly pale gray. This two-toned look becomes apparent during flight, as the translucent gray wing edges glow in sunlight. The amount of silver shows more on juveniles and during molting periods. Otherwise, turkey vultures are dark above and pale below.
A Featherless Head – Bright Red on Adults, Gray on Juveniles
The turkey vulture’s naked head provides the most distinctive flash of color. On adults, it is bright crimson red and small in proportion to their large body size. This red skin may appear deep burgundy at times. Juveniles, still growing into their color, have gray to orangish heads before obtaining the vibrant red. The skin also helps regulate body temperature and stays cool since it lacks insulating feathers.
Yellow Eyes and Ivory-Colored Bill
Turkey vultures have small, yellow eyes suited to their scavenger lifestyle. Unlike sharp-sighted hawks, they rely more on smell than vision when foraging. Their eyes do provide keen long-distance acuity to spot carrion. Another pale feature is the ivory-colored bill, ideally shaped to tear tough hide and flesh. The light bill contrasts against the vulture’s darker plumage.
Dark Legs with Short Talons
Because they don’t kill prey, turkey vultures lack the large, powerful talons of hawks and eagles. Their legs are slender and dark. The toes end in short, thick talons ideal for clinging to carrion but not built for snatching and gripping live animals. When perched, the legs may appear slightly spindly and small for the bird’s bulky body.
Unsteady, Teetering Flight Style
In flight, turkey vultures are distinctive even from a great distance. They teeter and weave unsteadily across the skies, rarely flapping. Their distinctive dihedral wing shape provides aerodynamic lift. They soar low searching for odors of carrion, then circle upward on rising thermals. In groups, turkey vultures often follow in a staggered queue, or kettle in widening circles at different altitudes.
So now that you know what to look for, keep an eye out for these unique soaring scavengers on your next highway drive or hike. Their impressive wingspans and identifying features make the turkey vulture one of America’s most easily recognized avian Silhouettes.
Turkey vultures in flight
Turkey vultures are most visible when they soar and glide while using thermal updrafts. They fly in a wobbly or teetering fashion with a characteristic dihedral wing formation.
Turkey vultures seldom flap their wings. They do some wing flapping when they first take off and fly above the trees without having attained much speed. They also flap their wings more often during overcast days or times of the day when thermal updraft currents are weak.
Turkey vultures generally fly at lower altitudes than black vultures. When they catch a whiff or smell of a carcass, they fly very low and in circles to pinpoint the carcass’ location.
Turkey vultures roost and predetermined roost sites scattered in the areas where they forage for food. Birds usually spend the night at the same roost site or a few preferred sites, often in the company of black vultures.
Bare parts of an adult and juvenile turkey vultures
Adult turkey vulture
- The head: Adult birds have unfeathered red heads, some of the upper neck. Some populations have a varying density of dark bristles and small black or white spots around the eyes, while others have bright red bare heads with no bristles. Some populations have reddish-purple tones in the nape area, while others have a white patch of folded skin.
- The bill of the turkey vulture is bicolored and deceivingly longer than it appears. The red of the head extends to nearly half the beak. The outer half is ivory white but gives the impression of having a short beak. Turkey vultures have prominent, rimmed, and perforated nostrils.
- Legs and feet: The turkey vulture’s legs and feet are red but look whitish most of the time. The whitish color is the coat of the viscous liquid (droppings) the birds defecate on their legs and feet. The turkey vulture defecates on its legs as a mechanism to release excess heat. In cooler environments, the turkey vulture’s legs tend to look red as birds do not need to release heat.
- Iris color: Adults of both sexes have light brown irises.
Juvenile turkey vulture
- The head: Juvenile birds have an unfeathered head, which is black when they leave the nest. The head begins to lighten up over time. By the end of the first year, young turkey vultures have pink-gray heads. Juvenile birds have a varying amount of dark bristles.
- The bill in juvenile turkey vultures is black. After the bird leaves the nest, its beak gradually turns pale. In the first year, the beak is white at the base and black at the tip. The degree to which young birds transition to adult colors varies between individuals. Some birds attain their adult color in the first 16 months after leaving the nest, while others take longer.
- The legs of a juvenile turkey vulture are gray to reddish-gray. Young turkey vultures also urinate on their leg to release excess heat. Hence, their legs may look whitish.
- Iris color: Young turkey vultures have dark irises, which also begin to turn brown as the bird matures.
Creature Feature: Turkey Vulture
FAQ
What does it mean when you see a turkey vulture?
What is the difference between a vulture and a turkey vulture?
Are turkey vultures good or bad?
How do you identify a turkey vulture?
What do turkey vultures look like?
Standing turkey vultures appear large with broad wings and a short tail. Here are three key characteristics to note: Bald Red Head: Turkey vultures have a distinctive red, featherless head. Dark Feathers: Their body is covered with dark brown to black feathers. Stance: Often seen on the ground, they display a hunched posture.
Do turkey vultures smell?
Adult. Photo: Michelle Maani/Audubon Photography Awards A familiar sight in the sky over much of North America is the dark, long-winged form of the Turkey Vulture, soaring high over the landscape. Most birds are believed to have a very poor sense of smell, but the Turkey Vulture is an exception, apparently able to find carrion by odor.
How do you know if a turkey vulture is black?
You can tell the difference by looking at the head and wing patterns. Black Vultures have black heads and silvery wingtips, while Turkey Vultures have reddish heads and a broader wing span. Are Turkey Vultures rare to see?
Are turkey vultures in your backyard?
However, they are not likely to be in your backyard unless something has died or else you have a very large backyard. The Turkey Vulture uses its sense of smell to locate carrion. The part of its brain responsible for processing smells is particularly large, compared to other birds.