Turkey vulture

Cathartes aura

Classe Oiseaux

Ordre Accipitriformes

Famille Cathartidés

Statut UICN Préoccupation mineure

Classe

Ordre

Famille

Statut UICN

Oiseaux

Accipitriformes

Cathartidés

Préoccupation mineure

Unlike other birds, the turkey vulture uses its extraordinary sense of smell to find carcasses of dead animals on which to feast. Unwanted pieces of carrion fall off its bald head and the turkey vulture can thus avoid infections that a feathery head would attract.

Reproduction

Sexually mature at 2 years. Mating and egg laying occurs between late March and June. The 2 eggs are incubated by both the male and the female for 38-41 days. The young fledge after 70 days.

Alimentation

Scavenger, feeding on carrion and waste.

Prédateurs

Few predators. Eggs and young can be the prey of eagles, hawks, raccoon and opossum.

Longévité

Average of 10 years in the wild and 20 years and more in captivity.

Reproduction

Sexually mature at 2 years. Mating and egg laying occurs between late March and June. The 2 eggs are incubated by both the male and the female for 38-41 days. The young fledge after 70 days.