Salt Grass Flats - Celebrating Gulf Coast Birds
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The Sibley Guide to Birds contains marvelous illustrations originally drawn by the author using watercolors. This is a great identification guide, not only for adult birds, but juveniles, also. |
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 Turkey Vultures |
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Turkey Vulture
Carthartes aura
Wingspan: 67 "
Length: 26 - 32"
Weight: 4 pounds
M/F outwardly similar
Masters of effortless soaring, Turkey Vultures are large birds with bare red-skinned heads.
They appear black but are actually two shades of very dark gray.
Their wings are narrower than those of the similar Black Vulture. The Turkey Vulture's wingspan is also greater, at up to six feet.
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While soaring these birds can be distinguished by the way they hold their wings in a very shallow "V" (slight dihedral).
They seldom flap their wings while soaring but more generally tip and tilt to make flight adjustments.
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Turkey Vultures rely more on their sense of smell to find food sources than do Black Vultures who primarily use sight.
Although larger than Black Vultures they are less aggressive and often get chased from food sources they have found.
Feeds almost exclusively on carrion or vegetation for food. Seldom take live prey. |
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