Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

The Turkey Vulture is a large bird-of-prey (Family: Catharidae, Order: Ciconiiformes). The vulture was named after the shape of its turkey like red-pink bald head. The rest of the body of the vulture is black. In flight, the massive wings of the vulture are angled and the V-shaped wings of the vulture is one way to distinguish the vulture from other species.

The pink beak of the vulture is thick and curbed. The vulture's nostrils are pervious, and now it is under Ciconiiformes (storks and herons) by the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy which is adopted by the American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). The vulture is gregarious and is often found in flocks.

Lakeport, CA
2008-02-26

The Turkey Vulture is protected under the law in the States. The law prohibits taking, killing, or posessing of turkey vultures.

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