Birds of Texas

American Vulture Cathartidae

Turkey (Cathartes aura)

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© Walter Bauer, Sugar Land, Texas - 1998

Field Marks: Turkey Vulture: Six feet wing spread and nearly eagle-size and has two toned blackish wings. At close range red head of adult can be seen.
Voice: Usually silent however a hiss when cornered or a low grunt.
Where found: South Canada south to the Strait of Magellan.
Texas: In Texas breeds throughout. Winters except in the Panhandle, Staked Plains and the Trans-Pecos.

Habitat: Usually seen in the sky or perched on dead trees, posts, carrion or on the ground.

Nest: In a hollow log, stump, cave, dark ledge, etc. The eggs are between 1-3 blotched.