Turkey Vulture

66-81 cm (26-32") Common and widespread. Open country, dumps, roadsides, woodlands. Large, dark, eagle-like scavenger. 

Large, black, eagle-like bird. Head is tiny relative to body; red unfeathered head, pale bill, tail is narrow and fairly long extending beyond feet. 

Immature: dark head and bill.

In flight; soars on long, broad, "fingered" wings held in a wide V; underside two-toned with silver-gray flight feathers; seldom flap rather tilt unsteadily from side to side.

Song: grunts, hisses.

Videos

Images

Credit: Jim Bahn

Distribution Maps

Turkey Vulture distribution map

Turkey Vulture winter distribution map