Eastern Turkey Vulture

Description:

This is the eastern subspecies of the Turkey Vulture, which is one of the five subspecies. A large bird, it has a wingspan of 160–183 cm (63–72 in), a length of 62–81 cm (24–32 in), and weight of 0.8 to 2.3 kg (1.8 to 5.1 lb). It displays minimal sexual dimorphism; sexes are identical in plumage and in coloration, although the female is slightly larger. The body feathers are mostly brownish-black, but the flight feathers on the wings appear to be silvery-gray beneath, contrasting with the darker wing linings. The adult's head is small in proportion to its body and is red in color with few to no feathers. It also has a relatively short, hooked, ivory-colored beak.

Habitat:

This one was observed flying over the constructed wetlands at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in Richmond County, GA. The Turkey Vulture is the most widespread of the New World vultures. It ranges from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. It inhabits a variety of open and semi-open areas, including subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, and deserts.

Notes:

The Turkey Vulture is a scavenger and feeds almost exclusively on carrion. Other common names in some North American regions include Turkey Buzzard or just Buzzard. In some areas of the Caribbean, it is called the John Crow or Carrion Crow. Scientifically, it is not a buzzard or a crow. The word buzzard is used by North Americans to refer to this bird, yet in the Old World this word refers to members of the genus Buteo. It finds its food using its keen eyes and sense of smell, flying low enough to detect the gases produced by the beginnings of the process of decay in dead animals. In flight, it uses thermals to move through the air, flapping its wings infrequently. It roosts in large community groups. Lacking a syrinx—the vocal organ of birds—its only vocalizations are grunts or low hisses. It nests in caves, hollow trees, or thickets. In the United States, the vulture receives legal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. The Turkey Vulture is gregarious and roosts in large community groups, breaking away to forage independently during the day. Several hundred vultures may roost communally in groups.