Turkey Vuture (Cathartes aura) in Flight photos by Larry Jordan
Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) are so underrated and misunderstood. Some people think they’re ugly, but not I (click on photos for full sized images).
That bare skin on their head serves a purpose. Not only does it help keep their heads clean when partaking of a carrion meal, they use that featherless head to help regulate body temperature.
They can tuck their bare heads into their feather collared necks to help keep warm and when they are heat stressed they will increase blood flow to the head, neck and legs which dissipates heat by evaporative cooling1.
Of course they also help regulate their body temperature using their famous spread-winged postures. This is the “extended spread-wing posture”
usually used to warm up in the morning sun or dry the wings, but sometimes it seems, just for fun.
Then there is the “delta wing posture” when Turkey Vultures face the sun and often preen.
One of the coolest things to witness is the migration of these magnificent birds. With a six foot wingspan, Turkey Vultures are nearly the size of a Golden Eagle. Witnessing hundreds, sometimes thousands of Turkey Vultures flying overhead, heading south for the winter, is a real treat.
This phenomenon usually peaks in the month of October so be on the lookout.
For more great birds photos, check out Bird Photography Weekly and World Bird Wednesday!
References: 1Birds of North America Online
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Great photos of very interesting birds. Amazing to see that many flying overhead.
Mick´s last post ..Norman Point
I love these birds. I have many stories of interactions with them (moving carrion to a safer spot out of traffic, etc) . One visits me daily on my mail route, swooping down near where I moved some roadkill for him a few weeks ago.
Also love our Black Vultures. There is a flightless one at the Audubon BOP center in Altamonte Florida that walks around with the visitors. Awesome bird.
Vultures are fascinating. Thanks for the photos, video & information. Great!
Out walking the dog´s last post ..Night Herons at Noon
this is a bird I loved to see in the air when I visited CR.
NatureFootstep´s last post ..Ducks
Yay, so happy about all the love vultures have been getting on my favorite blogs lately!
Great post and neat “delta wing posture” picture, Larry!
Amy´s last post ..Celebrate Migration at IBSP this weekend!
That’s a great video. I like all vultures, but turkey vultures are special for me because they are the only vulture species I have seen in the wild so far.
(I apologise if this is a double post, I’m having trouble with the comment system).
Jennifer´s last post ..ABC Wednesday: M is for Mandrill
Such stately birds! Love the pic of the TV preening. Nice video and information, Larry.
Hilke Breder´s last post ..Three Lifers in a Mud Puddle
They are truly fascinating birds!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Boom & Gary´s last post ..Sparrows Of The Vermilon River. A Post To WBW.
A beautiful bird to see..
Andrew´s last post ..Swing through the trees like a monkey………………………………… Go Ape!
these are great Larry! The last photo – what a pose, so cool!
Great post and photos of the Vultures. I like watching them in flight! My favorite is the second photo from the top.
Eileen´s last post ..Time to get wet
Larry, I teared up watching your videos. Hope we can keep these very cool and important birds alive.
Thanks for the share!
Jean´s last post ..Eastern Bluebirds and Birding the Net ~ World Bird Wednesday
That..was amazing! What a video Larry. The “delta wing” picture is awesome too. You are the vulture’s best friend. I would like someone with photoshop skills to add feathers to a Turkey Vultures head one day. Maybe do a Rogane commercial and see how popular this grand bird gets!
Great post Larry!
springman´s last post ..World Bird Wednesday XLVII
I am always impressed by the way they fly. Nice shots!
Kathiesbirds´s last post ..Lesser Black-backed Gull (WBW)
I don’t know what it is about them but I think they are cute.
Arija´s last post ..World Bird Wednesday – Birds in the Wild Wood
Thanks Larry for all those infos. I didn’t know, they use their head for cooling! That last photo is very cool!
dreamfalcon´s last post ..Grebe Surprise
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