Range

Turkey vultures can be found across North, Central and South America. Here they range throughout Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Falkland Island, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, U.S. Aruba, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela and the Virgin Islands.

They are the most widespread of the seven new world vulture species.

Northern populations of the turkey vulture are migratory. Prior to summer they will move to the southern areas of their range where they can enjoy warmer weather. At these times flocks of thousands of turkey vultures may be seen flying overhead.

Habitat

They make their home in a wide variety of habitats including forests, shrubland, grassland and desert. Turkey vultures will also visit marshes and coastlines to hunt for fish.

At night they roost in a tree or forested area.

Reproduction

Nesting occurs from March to June. At this time a ritualized mating behavior occurs. This involves a pair hopping in a circle with their wings outstretched and flying close to one another.

Once they form a pair they will find a spot to nest on a cliff ledge, hollow tree, in caves or a dense thicket. Where they share their habitat with humans they may nest in an old building. Little nest building occurs instead the eggs are deposited on the ground.

One or two eggs are laid though three may occur on a rare occasion. These are white with brown blotches. Both parents will work to incubate these eggs for 30-41 days.

Chicks hatch with white fluffy down feathers and a grey head in contrast to the red head of an adult. This red head develops around 1 year old.

After hatching a parent will remain with the chicks at all times. The other parent will go out to feed. Upon their return to the nest they will regurgitate food for their chicks.

Chicks remain in the nest for 9-10 weeks at which point they take their first flight. While in the nest they defend themselves by hissing at would be attackers.

The chicks remain with their family for a few months after leaving the nest.

Sexual maturity takes place between 3 and 4 years old.

Behavior

They fly with their wings slightly raised forming a ‘V’ pattern with their body. The wings are slotted helping to reduce turbulence.

Their day is spent flying on heat thermals and low to the ground where they can find food.

Turkey vultures will soar in small groups and they roost or migrate in large groups.

To cool themselves they will urinate on their legs. This urine also has a high uric acid content and as such kills bacteria on their legs which may have been gathered while stepping on their prey.

Their vocalizations are limited to hisses and grunts due to the lack of a vocal organ.

Predators and Threats

They have few natural predators.

Humans led to a decline the turkey vulture population across the 20th century as a result of exposure to the fertilizer DDT. They are also poisoned by consuming tainted meat and shot with lead bullets.

Over their existence they have been persecuted due to being considered a nuisance or carriers of disease.

Quick facts

In the US vultures will often be referred to as ‘buzzards.’

A group of vultures is known as a ‘venue’ when resting and a ‘kettle’ when in flight.