Turkey Vulture

Description:

The Turkey Vulture is a large, predominantly blackish-brown bird with a 5- to 6-foot wingspan and soars with its wings tilted up, in a dihedral pattern (an upward angle from horizontal), (see pic 5). The underwings are two-toned: silvery flight feathers with black wing-linings. The undertail is also light. And of course the red head.

Habitat:

Spotted in the Cascade mountains at about 3500 ft. in a semi-open spruce bog forest.

Notes:

Unlike most birds, Turkey Vultures have a well-developed sense of smell. As they soar over foraging areas, they scan the ground, searching for carrion or scavengers that might signal the presence of something dead. When they locate food, they eat it in place. They usually forage alone, but sometimes congregate around food sources.