Turkey Vulture (Catheartes aura)
Description: Turkey vultures have blackish-brown contour feathers on the
entirety of their body except for their face which is red and featherless. They
have large wings for soaring at great heights and to reach cliffs for perching
and nesting. Finally, they have long, feathered tails.
Habitat: Turkey Vultures prefer rangeland and areas of mixed farmland and forest. They will roost in large trees or on large urban buildings in order to search for carrion for food. Most will create nests on the top of cliffs in order to be away from any predators.
Diet: Turkey Vultures feed on carrion, which is the remains of dead organisms such as small mammals and larger animals such as cows. In addition, they will also feed on insects, other invertebrates and some fruits.
Behaviors:
Miscellaneous:
Habitat: Turkey Vultures prefer rangeland and areas of mixed farmland and forest. They will roost in large trees or on large urban buildings in order to search for carrion for food. Most will create nests on the top of cliffs in order to be away from any predators.
Diet: Turkey Vultures feed on carrion, which is the remains of dead organisms such as small mammals and larger animals such as cows. In addition, they will also feed on insects, other invertebrates and some fruits.
Behaviors:
- They do not have a nest structure and will place eggs directly on the ground in caves and crevices.
- They soar over great distances to detect carrion by smell and sight.
- They will defecate on its own legs for temperature regulation
- They forage alone
Miscellaneous:
- They are able to soar low to the ground by putting their wings in a V shape and rocking from side to side
- They lay one to three eggs at a time
- Immediately after hatching, they are downy and helpless and unable to hold their heads up