The Turkey Vulture Society is a non-profit scientific corporation. Its purpose is to promote scientific studies of the life habits and needs of the Turkey Vulture, to protect the vulture and its habitat, and to inform the public of the valuable and essential services this bird provides to mankind and to the environment.
VULTURE IMAGES and PHOTOS
In cold weather, turkey vultures tighten the muscles in their neck and forehead, drawing their feathery coat up around ther head. They then fluff their feathers to hold in an insulating layer of warm air.
(Photo by Ramona VanRiper)
Species Comparisons:
All the images and photos on this page are available for the public to use in school papers, newspaper and magazine articles, etc.
When you use images from this site, please attribute each image to its source:
* the photographer (listed in or below photo), and
* www.vulturesociety.homestead.com/photos.html
The Turkey Vulture has no nasal septum (wall dividing the nostrils). From the side, you can see in one nostril and out the other.
When they catch the sun, the turkey vulture's flight feathers appear white underneath. They are actually silvery grey.
Although extremely graceful in flight, landing can be difficult for Turkey Vultures. Before touching down, they spread their wings and shift their weight backward, to maximize wind resistance against their heavy bodies.
Age Comparisons:
Turkey Vultures are often seen standing in a spread-winged stance. This is called the "horaltic pose." The stance is believed to serve multiple functions:
* Drying the wings
* Warming the body
* Baking off bacteria
Scientists are still studying the horaltic pose to determine this for sure.
Turkey Vulture juveniles (over one year) have a dark downy coating on their head, which disappears as they mature. They do not typically display the white facial spots of adults.
Turkey Vulture adults (over three years) have red heads. As they continue to age, they develop white "warts" on their faces, typically around the eyes.
Behavior
Flight
Identifying Features
Up close, turkey vultures are characterized by their red head and curved white tip of the beak.
Like all other birds, the Turkey Vulture has a third, clear eyelid. This is known as the nictitating membrane. It serves to moisten the eye and clear it of debris, without completely compromising vision.
Black Vulture
Only the flight feathers at the tip of the black vulture's underwing appear silver.
Turkey Vulture
The flight feathers on the turkey vulture's underwing are all silver
Black VultureTurkey Vultures
Black Vulture eggs
Turkey Vulture eggs
Turkey Vulture chicks are bright white, with brown faces. They have the same large characteristic nostril of the parents.
These chicks are 2 weeks old
Black Vulture chicks are yellowy tan, with feathers extending well into the forehead.
These chicks are 2 weeks old
Photo by Sarah Croft
Photo by Brandon M. Breen
Photo by Brandon M. Breen
Turkey vulture chick (left) that is newly hatched (less than one week old), Falkland Islands, 2008
