Turkey Vulture
The
turkey vulture may not be the most glamorous wildlife species in
Oklahoma, but it is none the less an important part of our
ecosystem. In short, they take out the trash by feeding on
carcasses.
Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) are classified in the same
order as storks and flamingos because of their genetic
similarities. The Cherokee Nation calls the bird the “peace
eagle” because unlike birds of prey, turkey vultures do not
kill.
Unlike most birds, vultures have a keen sense of smell and they
use this sense in traveling far and wide to find carcasses.
These unique birds have the ability to eat anything without
coming down with diseases. Their digestion system has the
ability to kill any virus and bacteria in the food that the bird
eats. Their eating habits are omnivorous, meaning they eat both
plant and animal matter. Turkey vultures are not picky about
what they eat. They will consume dead mice, muskrats, birds,
raccoons, deer, skunks and coyotes.
They mate for life and have a fascinating courtship dance in
which they woo the potential mate. Vultures nest in a variety of
locations including tree cavities or rocky ledges. Nests are
loosely and crudely built and eggs are laid in late April to
early June. The eggs are white with brown markings and
incubation takes just about one month. The young vultures fledge
quickly and begin to leave the nest at around 10 to 11 weeks of
age.
Vultures are most often spotted while they are soaring on rising
columns of warm air called thermals to save energy as they cover
miles of territory. In fact, they can stay aflight for hours,
with just a few wing flaps. With a wingspan of nearly six feet,
turkey vultures can travel up to 140 miles a day. When in group
flight, they are called “kettles.” Vultures are sociable birds -
75 to 100 have been found together in their nesting areas or
feasting together at one time. Their communal roosts are
continually used for years by successive generations. Turkey
vultures are long lived birds, living up to 20 years in the
wild.
Turkey vultures, found across North and Central America, get
their name from the bald, red head, which resembles that of a
tom turkey. Immature, turkey vultures are gray all over,
however, as adults, the head is not only bright red, but it is
also equipped with a hooked, yellow bill. Because of their large
size, many people mistake vultures for eagles. However, unlike
eagles and other birds of prey, turkey vultures do not kill
their own prey. The turkey vulture also often gets the blame for
the black vultures behavior. The black vulture, which can be
found throughout the Southeast United States, is aggressive and
is known to kill small animals.
Turkey vultures use thermoregulation by spreading their wings
and use them as heat exchangers dissipating heat when they are
hot or absorbing the morning sun.
The next time you see a turkey vulture soaring high over your
head, take a moment to appreciate these fascinating birds.