TURKEY VULTURE
(Cathartes aura)

IDENTIFICATION:  Turkey vultures are a fairly large bird of prey; their wingspan often reaches six feet!  They have a dark brown body with a reddish head.  Their flight feathers are a lighter color on the bottom -- which makes them easy to recognize when they are flying.  These birds are often seen soaring on warm currents of air called thermals. 

RANGE AND HABITAT:  During the summer, turkey vultures can be found throughout much of the United States.  During the colder months, most will migrate to the southern states.  Here in Florida, vultures are year-round residents.  Turkey vultures have adapted well to living around humans and they prefer to live in semi-open areas instead of heavily wooded habitats.

DIET:  Interestingly, turkey vultures are one of very few birds that have a refined sense of smell.  They use this sense to find rotting carrion.  Turkey vultures have also been known to catch the occasional insect or fish in small bodies of water.

FUTURE:  Turkey vulture populations are stable throughout the entire United States.  However, the Migratory Bird Act, makes it illegal to harm or kill them.