Turkey Vulture
Song or calls: Usually silent, but over coveted animal
carcasses groups of vultures may hiss, flop or fight.
Description: Sexes similar. Adult uniformly dark
brown with small, red, unfeathered head; white tipped
bill. In flight, wings held in shallow V; pale gray
primaries contrast with dark wing linings and body,
giving wings two-toned appearance; tail narrow and
fairly long, extending beyond feet. Immature similar to
adult, but with dark head and bill.
Food: Feeds on carrion and locates by sight and
smell.
Habitat:
Open plains, sandhills or areas offering
visual foraging. Cliffs, crevices, abandoned buildings or
other cavities are used for nesting sites.
Where in Nebraska:
Common regular spring and
fall migrant throughout the entire state and locally
uncommon regular breeder statewide.
Field Notes: At night, groups of a few up to 100
roost together in trees and then leave in late morning
when thermals develop.
Fun Facts: The turkey vulture will defecate on its
own legs, using the water in the feces to cool itself
down. ■
To learn about more birds visit:
NebraskaBirdLibrary.org.
Nebraska Bird Library
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PHOTO
BY
ERIC
FOWLER
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2015 • NEBRASKAland 15
