Cathartes aura
Range
They breed in southern Canada through the U.S. and south through South America and the Caribbean. They spend the winter in the southern U.S. through South America.
Habitat
They live in open areas mixed with forests.
Body Traits
They are a large soaring bird, more than 2.5 tall with long wings and tail. They are mostly dark brown to black with a red, featherless head. While they are flying, they hold their wings in a V shape. Their wings look gray from underneath with a black border. Males and females look the same.
Habits
They use their great sense of smell to find dead animals (carrion). The Turkey Vulture is usually alone, unlike the Black Vulture, which hunts for food in a group.
Diet
They eat dead animals (carrion), but also may eat insects, small animals, and even fruit.
Reproduction
They don’t build a nest, but lay eggs right on the ground in a cave, rock pile, empty burrows, or hollow logs. Female lays 1 – 3 white eggs with dark spots.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Cathartidae
Genus: Cathartes
Species: C. aura