BIRD OF THE MONTH - Turkey Vulture

October 2026 - Turkey Vulture

If you’ve gone looking for raptors on a clear day, your heart has probably leaped at the sight of a large, soaring bird in the distance, perhaps an eagle or osprey. But if it's soaring with its wings raised in a V and making wobbly circles, it's likely a Turkey Vulture.

These birds ride thermals in the sky and use their keen sense of smell to find fresh carcasses. They maintain stability and lift at low altitudes by holding their wings up in a slight V-shape and teetering from side to side while flying. The part of its brain responsible for processing smells is particularly large, compared to other birds and has a heightened ability to detect odors. They are skilled scavengers, cleaning up the countryside one bite at a time.

On the ground they move with ungainly hops and often they can be seen standing erect, wings spread in the sun, presumably to warm up, cool off, or dry off. By taking care of the carrion, vultures provide an essential service for the health of our ecosystems. Without them, carcasses would accumulate, and diseases would spread from rotting flesh.

They lack the vocal organs to make proper songs and most of their vocalizations come down to a form of a low, guttural hiss made when they are irritated or vying for a better spot on a carcass. As a defense mechanism, Turkey Vultures may vomit on a bird, animal, or human that gets too close. A resident to long-distance migrant and some in the southern United States are year-round residents.

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