Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
Unlike most birds, Turkey Vultures have a highly developed sense of smell, capable of detecting the gas mercaptan from miles away.
- Scientific name
- Cathartes aura
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Cathartiformes › Cathartidae › Cathartes
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open country, including pastures, shrublands, and deserts, often near forest edges for nesting.
- Diet
- Carrion; specifically the carcasses of small to large mammals.
- Range
- North America, Central America, South America
- Size
- Wingspan of 160-183 cm (63-72 in); Weight of 0.8-2.4 kg.
- Lifespan
- 16-20 years in the wild
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Lead poisoning from scavenging animals shot with lead ammunition, vehicle strikes, and power line collisions.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and shy. Maintain a distance of at least 30 feet to avoid disturbing their feeding or nesting. If threatened, they may projectile vomit as a defense mechanism; if contact occurs, wash skin or clothing with soap and water.
The turkey vulture ( Cathartes aura ), also known in some North American regions as the turkey buzzard (or just buzzard ), and in some areas of the Caribbean as the John crow or carrion crow , is the most widespread of the New World vultures. One of three species in the genus Cathartes of the family Cathartidae, the turkey vulture ranges from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. It inhabits a variety of open and semi-open...
Photo: Seig, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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