Our Resident Turkey Vultures

Norabo

Brought to Sharon Audubon Center: November 2003

History: Norabo was found when he was less than a year old with a mysterious tail injury.  A local veterinarian took care of him during his long healing process and as a result Norabo lost his natural fear of humans.  Norabo is our resident goof-ball, who loves to tug at the pant legs and shoe-laces of the staff and volunteers here at Sharon Audubon Center.  His tail feathers never fully returned to normal and his name “Norabo” literally means “No Tail” in Spanish.  He currently resides in the Raptor Aviaries here at the center with his far less sociable Turkey Vulture companion “Scraps”.

Scraps

Brought to Sharon Audubon Center: December 2003

History: Scraps was first taken in by rehabilitators in February of 2003 with a wing injury sustained after being hit by a car.  He was brought to the Sharon Audubon Center later that year to join our other Turkey Vulture in residence “Norabo”.  Scraps is much more timid than his companion and usually greets staff and visitors by flying as far away as his injured wing and the aviaries will allow. 

Turkey Vulture

(Cathartes aura)

Did you know?

Unlike other birds, Turkey Vultures have a keen sense of smell that they use to locate food.

Average Length: 25 inches

Weight: Average of 2.2 lbs

Wingspan: 72 inches

Lifespan: 5-15 years in the wild, and up to 30 years in captivity

Description: A large soaring bird with entirely black-brown feathers, a red bald head, and a short, curved, ivory colored beak. Immature Turkey Vultures have a gray head with a black beak tip. While soaring, they hold their wings in a V-shape and often tip them from side to side. They flap their wings very infrequently, and often take advantage of rising thermals to keep them soaring.

Range and Habitat: The Turkey Vulture is found in open and semi-open areas throughout the Americas.

Diet: They feed primarily on dead animals, even ones that have begun to rot. The Turkey Vulture uses its sense of smell to locate food. Turkey Vultures have a very good since of smell compared to other birds.  Its heightened ability to detect odors allows it to find dead animals below a forest canopy.

Behavior: The Turkey Vulture is gentle and non-aggressive. They are usually found in large groups, venturing out independently during the day to forage for food. 

Adaptations:  Their bare head is a great adaptation for an animal that constantly sticks its head inside the bodies of dead animals.  The nostrils are very wide and open, so that you can see straight through them, allowing the bird to breathe while its head is inside of a carcass. When vultures are scared or threatened they have an interesting adaptation, which allows them to regurgitate the contents of their stomach, which is usually very effective in frightening away an attacker. Turkey Vultures will often defecate on their own legs, using the evaporation of the water in the feces to cool itself down.