Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura

Identification: A large black bird with a long tail and contrasting light hind-wing and dark fore-wing feathers when seen from below. Adult Turkey Vultures have reddish bare heads. Immature birds have gray-black heads. The Turkey Vulture holds its wings in a shallow "V" while soaring.

Range and Habitat: Turkey Vultures are found across most of the United States and commonly occur throughout Florida. They often soar above open land, including agricultural areas, pastures and roadsides, searching the ground below for carrion. Turkey Vultures roost in deciduous woodlands.

Reproduction: Eggs are deposited on the ground under cover, in a hollow tree trunk or cave, or beneath palmetto thickets. No nests are built. Turkey Vultures usually lay two eggs, which are incubated by both sexes for about 40 days. The eggs are whitish, heavily marked with dark brown. The young are fed regurgitated food by both parents. Age at first flight is between eight and ten weeks.

Diet: Turkey Vultures are scavengers, eating carrion (dead animals). When carrion is not available, vultures will eat various plant foods, including pumpkin, grass and seeds.

Remarks: The vulture is probably the most misunderstood bird and the harassment these birds receive is unjustified. Although their role as scavengers is often considered disgusting, vultures serve a useful purpose as flying garbage disposals. A keen sense of smell enables the Turkey Vulture to locate hidden meals. The vulture has no real voice; it will force air out its bill, making a hissing sound. Vultures are not true raptors. Since they usually do not hunt, they have weaker legs and feet and duller talons and beaks than other raptors. Vultures are protected by state and federal laws.

Legend has it that in the earliest of times the sun lived very close to the earth making it almost unbearable. The vulture was the most beautiful and powerful of birds-its head covered with rich feathers that all other birds envied. Knowing that the earth would burn up unless someone moved the sun, the vulture placed its head against the sun and began to fly toward the heavens. With powerful strokes of its mighty wings, it pushed the sun further and further away from the earth. Though it could feel it crown feathers burning, the vulture continued until the sun was high up in the heavens. The earth was safe, but unfortunately, the vulture lost its magnificent head of feathers for all eternity.