<p>
Turkey Vultures are a large dark brown bird with a red head
(juveniles have dark colored heads).
The leading edge of the underside of their wings is brown
and the rest is off-white.
These two toned wings are one of the field markers for aiding
in identifying them.
Another is the slight 'V' of their wings in flight and another
is how their wings wobble from side-to-side in flight.
It is quite a sight to see Turkey Vultures soaring in the air.
They use rising thermals to rise in the air which
minimizes the need to flap their wings.
</p><p>

One of the things I find interesting about the Turkey Vulture, is that there
is no membrane between their nostrils.
In other words, if you are looking at the Vulture's profile, you can see right
through the nose.
Some of the pictures below demonstrate this.
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<p>

:Diet:
Turkey Vultures are scavengers and feed almost exclusively on carrion
but they will occasionally eat vegetable matter, live insects and other
invertebrates.
They use their acute sense of smell (very rare in birds)
and their keen eyesight to find food.
</p><p>

Their bald head helps keep unwanted bacteria from infecting the vulture
as they feed on carrion. 
Also, having no feathers on they head make it less likely their head would be
caught in the prey's body as they feed.
</p><p>

:Courtship:
One of the Turkey Vultures' courtship ritual involves several
vultures gathering in a circle where
they hop around the circle with their wings partially spread.
They are considered monogamous.
</p><p>

:Nesting:
The Turkey Vulture will nest on the ground, in caves, abandoned barns, etc.
They do not build a nest, but will scratch out an indentation in the ground.
Both parents will incubate the eggs and feed the chicks.
They brood 1-3 chicks.
The chicks are helpless at birth.
</p><p>

:Habitat and Range:
Turkey Vultures are seen throughout North and South American
from southern Canada to the south-most tip of South America.
</p><p>

They can be found in many open and semi-open areas from
subtropical forests to deserts.
They favor open areas that are near woods for nesting.
At night they will roost in trees or man-made structures in large groups.
I have seen this behavior at the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge at twilight.
</p><p>

:Vocalization:
Turkey Vultures only making grunting and hissing sounds
because they lack a syrinx (voice box for birds).
</p><p>

:Plumage/Molt:
Male and females plumage is the same.
Molting is done over a long period during the summer.
This molting overlaps with their breeding season.
</p><p>

:Migration:
Turkey Vultures that live in the northern parts of
North America migrate south during the winter.
The south can be the southern U.S. or South America.
Turkey Vultures who live in warmer climes may not migrate.
When they migrate, flock size can be quite large (10,000 birds).
</p><p>

:Tongue/feet:
The toes of the Turkey Vulture have three toes facing forward
and one to the back.
There is a slight webbing between the front toes.
Their feet are weaker than a Black Vulture's which
means that they are unable to pick up and carry away large prey.
</p><p>

Turkey Vultures also defecate feces and urine on their feet.
This is believed to help cool the feet and the strong acid in feces/urine may
kill any bacteria remaining from the vulture's food.
</p>
<p>

:Bibliography:
b3
b11
w7;June, 2012
w4;June, 2012
w12;June, 2012
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