The identification of Turkey vultures is relatively straightforward. Turkey vultures look black from a distance, but upon closer examination, they have black and blackish-brown plumage. This article discusses and illustrates the recognition of turkey vultures in flight, perched, their typical behavior, preferred habitat, and range. Table of Contents
The turkey vulture looks black from a distance, but it has parts that are black and blackish-brown. The back, neck, breasts, and belly are black. In perched birds, the folded wings consist of wing coverts and flight feathers and are a dark brown color. Turkey vultures, male and female, have unfeathered redheads and similar plumages, which makes it impossible to distinguish them solely on their appearance.
From afar, the plumage of a turkey vulture appears black. When viewed up close, subtle differences in tones of black and blackish-brown can be discerned.
The neck area, breast, and belly are predominantly black. The back (mantle) is black with hints of brown. The wing coverts on the folded wings are dark-brown edged with varying amounts of lighter brown. The secondary flight feathers visible on the folded wing are dark with a varying amount of brown edging.
There is a good deal of variation in the plumage of turkey vultures. Adult birds in fresh plumages appear darker than browner and faded old plumages.
The turkey vultures have unfeathered red heads, which is the bird’s most distinctive feature. The head looks small relative to the size of the bird.
There is no sexual dimorphism in turkey vultures, so males and females look the same. Even though females are slightly larger than males, it is impossible to distinguish males from females by physical appearance and plumage.
Despite the turkey vulture being a common and familiar bird, little is known about its plumage and molt cycles.
With their distinctive bare red heads and massive six-foot wingspans, turkey vultures are a bird that every nature lover should know. But what exactly do these unique scavengers look like? This guide covers everything you need to identify turkey vultures, including their size, colors, flight style, behavior, habitat, range, and more.
Size and Shape
Turkey vultures are large, weighing 4-5 pounds with wingspans reaching up to 6 feet across. Their bodies are more slender and lightweight compared to bulky vultures like the black vulture. When in flight, turkey vultures hold their wings in a slight dihedral or V-shape. The wings are long and broad with pronounced “fingers” at the wingtips. The tail is relatively long and extends past the bird’s toes in flight. Overall, turkey vultures appear quite large, exceeding the size of hawks and approaching the size of eagles.
Plumage and Colors
The plumage of turkey vultures may appear solid black from a distance. But up close subtle variations in dark brown and black tones can be seen. The back and belly are blackish-brown. The wing covert feathers are dark brown edged in lighter brown. The flight feathers on the underside of the wings contrast sharply with the body, appearing silvery-gray. This two-toned look makes turkey vultures easy to identify in flight.
Of course, the most iconic marking of a turkey vulture is the small bald red head. This bright red head provides a stark contrast against the bird’s dark feathers. The red coloration extends halfway down the bill. The legs are usually stained white but are actually a grayish-red color.
Juveniles and Immatures
Young turkey vultures have dusky gray to blackish heads and dark gray legs. Their plumage is more uniformly blackish without the brown tones of adults. As juvenile vultures mature over their first two years, their heads gradually fade from gray to pinkish to bright red. The legs become paler as well. Once turkey vultures reach adult plumage, males and females look exactly alike.
Flight Style and Behavior
Turkey vultures are most often seen soaring high in the sky, wings held in a slight dihedral. Their flight is clumsy and teetering, with few flaps between long glides. To locate carrion, turkey vultures will fly low in circles while sniffing the air with their keen sense of smell. At roosts and dumps, groups of turkey vultures congregate on branches, fence posts, and utility poles, holding their wings outspread. This behavior is believed to serve multiple functions, from drying wings to sunning parasites.
Habitat and Range
As scavengers, turkey vultures occupy diverse habitats in search of carrion, from grasslands to forests to suburbs. They avoid only the most urban city centers Their range extends through much of North America, Central America, and South America. In the US. and Canada they are found primarily during summer, migrating southward in winter. Year-round populations occupy the southeastern states.
Similar Species
In flight, turkey vultures resemble other dark raptors like eagles, hawks and the black vulture. Up close, the bare red head is the clinching mark of identification for this fascinating scavenger. Learning to recognize turkey vultures by sight takes practice, but with a little observation you’ll soon spot their distinctive silhouette gracing the skies overhead.
What does a turkey vulture look like in the air?
Size of the turkey vulture
The turkey vulture is a large bird with an approximate length of 25.1 – 32 inches, reaching a 5.6 – 6 feet wingspan. The weight is approximately 4.4 lb on average.
Summary table showing the turkey vulture measurements.
| Length (1) | Weight | Wingspan (2) |
| 25.1 – 32 inches (male and female) | 4.4 lb (male and female) | 5.6 – 6 feet (male and female ) |
(1) Measured from the tip of the tail to the tip of the bill with the neck stretched out. (2) Distance between tips of outstretched wings.
What Do Turkey Vultures Look Like? – Bird Watching Diaries
FAQ
What birds are mistaken for turkey vultures?
Similar SpeciesZone-tailed Hawk
Zone-tailed Hawks of the southwestern U.S. are similarly shaped and fly with a similar style, but they have light bands in the tail, and a larger, fully feathered head unlike Turkey Vultures, which have an unbanded tail and a bald head.
Are turkey vultures harmful?
Turkey Vultures are almost entirely carrion eaters, which means they feed on animals that are already dead. They have been documented killing very weak or very sick animals, but this is rare. They are not a threat to livestock or pets.
Are turkey vultures rare to see?
Although soaring Turkey Vultures are now a regular sight in Massachusetts, they were rare until recent decades, when they expanded their range northward.
How do you identify a turkey vulture?
- Head: Featherless, bright red head that resembles a wild turkey’s
- Body: Large, bulky, and dark brown or black
- Wings: Two-toned, with a pale gray trailing edge and black leading edges
- Tail: Long and narrow
- Bill: Pale
What do turkey vultures look like?
Adult birds in fresh plumages appear darker than browner and faded old plumages. The turkey vultures have unfeathered red heads, which is the bird’s most distinctive feature. The head looks small relative to the size of the bird. There is no sexual dimorphism in turkey vultures, so males and females look the same.
How much does a turkey vulture weigh?
Despite the turkey vulture being a common and familiar bird, little is known about its plumage and molt cycles. The turkey vulture is a large bird with an approximate length of 25.1 – 32 inches, reaching a 5.6 – 6 feet wingspan. The weight is approximately 4.4 lb on average. Summary table showing the turkey vulture measurements.
How do you know if a turkey vulture is a juvenile?
One of the most telling differences is head color. Juvenile turkey vultures have a gray-brown head that is darker than the adult’s bright red head. The gray head gradually transforms to pink and then brilliant red over the bird’s first 4-5 years. Juvenile turkey vultures have a grayish bill with a dark tip.
What is the difference between a black vulture and a turkey vultures?
In flight, the tail is long and slim. The black vulture is relatively shorter-tailed and shorter-winged, which makes it appear rather smaller in flight than the turkey vulture, although the body masses of the two species are roughly the same.
What do turkey vultures eat?
Turkey vultures are large, dark birds that feed mainly on carrion. They are found widely distributed across North America. Juvenile turkey vultures can be identified by their overall darker plumage, smaller size, and differences in head coloration compared to adults.
Are turkey vultures picky?
Scientists believe their population is around 4.5 million animals. Turkey vultures are both picky, and not picky. While they will feed on a huge variety of creatures, they almost always feed on carrion. Carrion is an animal that has already died and begun to decay. Despite popular culture, vultures prefer fresher carcasses to heavily decayed items.