Turkey Vulture

The Turkey Vulture’s latin name is Cathartes aura. It lives in North and South America. Its preferred habitat is open forests, farmlands, and low-elevation mountains. When trying to identify the Turkey Vulture size, it is safe to say it is large – around 30 inches long. And a Turkey Vulture wingspan is even larger – nearly 70 inches wide. They breed from March to June. Turkey Vultures are partially migratory and migrate in flocks. Their population status is of least concern. They can be found at Coal Creek Farm year round. They lack the vocal organs to make proper songs. Most of the Turkey Vulture sounds come down to a form of low, guttural hisses made when they are irritated or vying for a better spot on a carcass.

Turkey Vultures’ diet consists of dead birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. They lay their eggs on the ground, and do not make a nest. After mating, the female will lay two eggs. Both the female and the male will incubate the eggs, which hatch after around a month. The baby Turkey Vultures will learn how to fly and begin searching for their own food at around three months old. At that time, the juvenile Turkey Vultures will leave the nest.