Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Range: From southern Canada through Central and South America
Habitat: Farmlands and forests
Size: 25-32 inches tall; 5 feet wingspan; 2-5 pounds
Diet in the Wild: Feeds mainly on dead animals, preferring those recently dead (called carrion). Occasionally feeds on decaying vegetable matter and insects
Diet in the Zoo: mice, rats, and prepared meat
Lifespan: Around 2 years in the wild; 15+ years in human care
The Owl Exhibit, sponsored by Subaru of Indiana, opened in 2008. A familiar sight in the sky over much of North America is the dark, long-winged form of the turkey vulture soaring gracefully over the landscape. The turkey vulture has a characteristic wobble as it rides the thermal air currents, searching for prey. Unlike most birds, turkey vultures have a strong sense of smell and locate most of their food by scent - the scent of rotting meat, that is. Their practice of scavenging carcasses serves an important job in nature, removing sources of potential contagion from the environment.
Fun Facts!
- The turkey vulture's main line of defense is vomiting. If disturbed, it will throw up a fowl smelling substance that deters many predators!
- Their featherless head prevents bacterial build-up from feasting on a carcass.
- Turkey vultures lack a voicebox and can only make a hissing sound or low grunt!