Turkey Vulture Photo Gallery
Adult (Northern)
Large with long wings. Black body contrasts with gray flight feathers and tail, and naked bright red head.
© Matt Davis | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 01, 2017Adult (Northern)
Large and black with browner back (especially when worn), naked bright red head, and pale bill and legs.
© Abhishek Kambhampati | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 09, 2017Adults (Northern) with Black Vultures
Large brown vulture with small, bare red head. In good light or at close range both brown plumage and red head separate Turkey Vulture from Black Vulture (left).
© Matthew D. Medler | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, October 28, 2014Not all videos have soundJuvenile (Northern)
Juveniles have an ashy-gray colored naked head.
© Chris Davis | Macaulay LibraryTexas, September 25, 2020Immature (Northern)
Immatures have the naked head dusky red in color.
© Ryan Shaw | Macaulay LibraryTexas, December 29, 2016Adult
Note two-toned wing pattern with lighter trailing edge, fairly long tail, and teetering flight style. Soars with wings raised slightly (known as "dihedral") and rarely flaps. Red head can be hard to see.
© Eric Liner | Macaulay LibrarySantiago de Cuba, April 01, 2007Not all videos have soundAdult (Northern)
Flies with a distinctive shallow "V" shape, and teeters side-to-side.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, April 23, 2017Flock
Soars on thermals, often circling in groups known as "kettles." Note dihedral (raised wings) and distinctive teetering style of soaring.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, March 25, 2015Not all videos have soundAdult (Tropical) (with Southern Caracara)
Large and black with bright red naked head and contrasting white collar.
© Ian Thompson | Macaulay LibraryPará, July 20, 2011Adult (Northern)
Will perch with wings spread to dry off, or on cold days.
© Paul Tavares | Macaulay LibraryMatanzas, February 15, 2017Flock
Roosts communally and warms up in the morning by facing the sun, spreading wings, and standing still for extended periods.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMay 01, 1999Not all videos have soundAdult (Northern) (with Fish Crow)
Sometimes found with crows at carrion or landfills.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 08, 2017Adult (Northern)
Will flight with other vultures at carrion.
© Matt Davis | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 21, 2017Adult (Northern)
Sometimes roosts communally, sometimes in large groups.
© Jack and Shirley Foreman | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, February 13, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
New World Vultures(Order: Cathartiformes, Family: Cathartidae)
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