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Presidio of San Francisco Military housing near Julius Kahn Park
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Presidio of San Francisco
Turkey Vulture
(Cathartes aura)
 
Turkey Vulture
Will Elder, NPS
A Turkey Vulture above Inspiration Point.
 

Natural History: The Turkey Vulture eats carrion of all sizes. It finds dead animals by both sight and scent. This communal roosting bird is not known to breed in the Presidio.

General Distribution: This bird is found throughout the Presidio, often soaring above the forest or more open lands.

Frequency: This species is moderately common throughout the year in the Presidio.

Identifying Characteristics: This very large bird, when seen from below, has dark, two-tone wings with silver-gray flight feathers and black leading edges. The head is bald and red, and the beak is white. Its nature is to soar with seldom a flap of the wings.

Presidio Birds main page

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Refugees in line for supplies, 1906

Did You Know?
In the three days following the 1906 earthquake, the Army's refugee camps at the Presidio issued 3,000 tents, 12,000 shelter halves, 13,000 ponchos, 58,000 pairs of shoes, and 24,000 regulation blue shirts.

Last Updated: November 16, 2007 at 17:22 MST