Birds Daytime

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The Turkey Vulture is a master of the skies, using a keen sense of smell and massive wingspan to patrol the landscape. More than just a scavenger, this 'Peaceful Purifier' is a fascinating and essential part of our backyard ecosystems.

7 Sightings

2 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Wingspan of 63–72 inches (160–183 cm); Length of 24–32 inches (62–81 cm); Weight of 1.8–5.3 lbs (0.8–2.41 kg)

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Colors

Adults have brownish-black plumage with a featherless red head; juveniles have a grey-black head; underwings show distinct silvery-grey flight feathers

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Key Features

Featherless red head in adults
Distinctive V-shaped 'dihedral' flight profile
Silver-grey flight feathers visible from below
Unsteady, teetering flight style
Ivory-colored hooked beak

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Waiting for thermal updrafts to rise)

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Season Year-round in southern regions; March-October in northern latitudes

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Diet Obligate scavengers eating almost exclusively carrion; they prefer fresh carcasses of small to medium-sized mammals but will eat reptiles and fish.

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Habitat Widespread across open and semi-open areas including pastures, shrublands, forest edges, and suburban roadsides.

Sightings on EverydayEarth

California Condor Sanctuary

Apr 8, 2026

Two Turkey Vultures are perched on the sunlit branches of a large dead tree against a backdrop of drifting clouds. A much smaller bird sits at the very highest point of the snag. The vulture on the lower branch occasionally turns its head and adjusts its footing while surveying the surrounding area.

California Condor Sanctuary

Apr 7, 2026

A group of large avian scavengers is gathered in a sunny field in Big Sur. A California Condor, identifiable by its bright yellow-orange head and white wing tag labeled '11', walks purposefully toward the center of the scene. Other condors and Turkey Vultures with characteristic red heads are seen feeding on the ground or perched on rocks in the background.

California Condor Sanctuary

Apr 7, 2026

A group of scavengers, including several Turkey Vultures and Common Ravens, are gathered in a grassy field to feed on carcasses. The birds hop around the area, competing for access to the food source under the bright morning sun.

California Condor Sanctuary

Apr 7, 2026

A group of California Condors and Turkey Vultures is gathered on a sunny hillside in Big Sur. Several birds are clustered around a carcass on the left, actively feeding and interacting. One condor is perched on a rocky outcrop to the right, while others rest in the grass near a small utility building.

California Condor Sanctuary

Apr 7, 2026

An adult California Condor stands prominently on the right side of a grassy hillside while several Turkey Vultures and Common Ravens gather around animal remains on the left. The birds are seen feeding and interacting in the early morning light. The camera pans and zooms slightly to provide a closer view of the activity on the left side of the slope.

California Condor Sanctuary

Apr 7, 2026

A group of Turkey Vultures is gathered on a grassy slope, scavening on several carcasses laid out across the ground. The birds are seen walking between the remains, picking at the food, and occasionally looking around the hillside. The scene is quiet with morning light illuminating the valley in the background.

Behavior

Turkey Vultures are nature's ultimate cleanup crew, performing a vital ecological service by consuming carrion. Unlike most birds, they possess an incredibly sophisticated sense of smell, allowing them to locate decaying organic matter from miles away, even under a thick forest canopy. They are social birds, often seen roosting in large communal groups in dead trees or on structures, but they usually forage individually or in small, loose clusters.

One of their most iconic behaviors is 'horaltic pose,' where they stand with wings spread wide to bake off bacteria, dry their feathers, or regulate body temperature. While they may seem intimidating, they are actually quite gentle and lack a syrinx (vocal organ), meaning they can only produce low hisses or grunts. If threatened, their primary defense is a pungent projectile vomit intended to deter predators.

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Camera Tips

Capturing high-quality Turkey Vulture footage requires an understanding of their reliance on thermal air currents. They typically don't take flight until the sun has warmed the earth enough to create rising air. For the best action shots, place your camera facing an open field or a clear ridge where they are likely to soar low while searching for food. If you have a tall, dead tree (snag) on your property, aim your camera upward at a 45-degree angle; these are prime 'sunning' spots where vultures spread their wings in the morning light.

While many backyard enthusiasts use birdseed, Turkey Vultures require a different approach. If local regulations and your stomach allow, placing a camera near natural carrion or raw meat scraps in an open area is the most effective way to trigger a recording. Position the camera on a sturdy post about 2 to 3 feet off the ground, angled slightly downward toward the bait. Ensure the area is clear of tall grass that might trigger the PIR sensor during windy conditions.

Because vultures often feed in groups and stay at a carcass for long periods, set your camera to 'Video' mode with a 20-30 second duration and a short trigger interval. This captures the fascinating social hierarchy and 'wing-slapping' displays that occur when multiple birds compete for a meal. For the best lighting, try to position the camera with the sun at your back, especially in the early morning when they are drying their wings.

Don't overlook the 'communal roost.' If you notice vultures frequenting a specific group of trees at dusk, a trail camera placed at the base of these trees can capture them landing and taking off. Use a high-end camera with a fast trigger speed (under 0.3 seconds) to catch the impressive 6-foot wingspan in motion without motion blur. In winter months, look for them on south-facing slopes or dark rooftops where they gather to soak up residual heat.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Turkey Vulture.

Black Vulture

Smaller with a black head; has white wing tips rather than silver along the whole trailing edge; flies with more frequent, rapid flaps.

Zone-tailed Hawk

A hawk that mimics the Turkey Vulture's flight style and color to sneak up on live prey; distinguished by its feathered head and yellow cere/feet.

Golden Eagle

Much larger with a fully feathered head; holds wings flatter while soaring and lacks the silver-grey underwing contrast.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Turkey Vultures are most active from mid-morning through late afternoon. They rely on thermal updrafts—pockets of warm air—to soar without flapping, so you'll rarely see them in the air before the sun has had a few hours to warm the ground.

Turkey Vultures are attracted to the scent of carrion. While you shouldn't leave out trash, having a large, open property near woods or leaving a naturally occurring carcass (like roadkill) in a safe area will draw them in. They are also attracted to large, dead trees for roosting.

Turkey Vultures are scavengers that eat carrion, which is the meat of dead animals. They prefer relatively fresh carcasses of mammals, birds, and reptiles, and they play a critical role in preventing the spread of diseases by removing decaying organic matter from the environment.

Yes, Turkey Vultures are very common in suburban areas, particularly those with nearby woodlots or open parks. They are often seen soaring over highways looking for roadkill or roosting on cell towers, water towers, and suburban rooftops.

You can tell them apart by their heads and their flight. Turkey Vultures have red heads (as adults) and hold their wings in a V-shape while teetering unsteadily. Black Vultures have grey/black heads, shorter tails, and white patches only at the very tips of their wings, and they fly with much steadier, more frequent flaps.

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