Turkey Vulture

Turkey vultures often perch in trees during the heat of the day.

NPS/J.Ruffner

Buzzard, turkey buzzard, John crow, carrion crow, are all names for the turkey vulture. Nearly the size of an eagle these large birds are often mistaken for juvenile California condors. The two-toned wings can make these birds easily distinguishable with white along the back of the wings and solid black in the front. The wings are held in a slight v-shapes as the bird soars on thermals.They often look wobbly and unstable as they roll and sway side to side in flight.

Turkey vultures feed on carrion, or dead animals, and can soar in the air for hours as they scout out their next meal. They have a high sense of smell in comparison to other birds and are believed to be able to find food by its odor. Their large nostrils or naris, while useful for smelling, can get in the way when eating. When this happens the bird will use a claw to pick the food out. Large meals can also be problematic for Turkey vultures. As they stuff themselves with food, they become heavy and may lack the ability to quickly fly away from predators. In this case, they defend themselves by projecting vomit onto their predator.

Pair formation is somewhat ritualistic as several birds gather in a circle on the ground. With wings spread, they perform hopping movements as they move around the outside of the circle. Once a pair has matched, they take to the air flapping and diving. The pair rarely make a nest but instead shelter in areas like caves, cliff crevasses, or hollow trees.