Birdsong field guide
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
A large, dark scavenging raptor recognized by its bald red head and signature soaring flight in a shallow V-shape.
What it sounds like
No true song; produces only raspy hisses when feeding or threatened and low grunts during courtship or at the nest.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- Uses a highly sensitive sense of smell to locate carcasses hidden beneath dense forest canopies.
- Practices urohidrosis, defecating on its own legs to cool down through evaporative cooling and kill bacteria.
- Soars in a steady 'dihedral' wing position, characteristically rocking or teetering even in light winds.
- Lacks a syrinx, the avian vocal organ, limiting its vocalizations to low-frequency hisses and grunts.
- Utilizes projectile vomiting of putrid, semi-digested meat as a primary defense mechanism to deter predators.
Habitat
Open country, subtropical forests, shrublands, and deserts; frequently observed near roadsides.
Range
Widespread across the Americas, ranging from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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