Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

Diet

Primarily eats carrion of small and medium-sized mammals; will also eat carrion of reptiles, amphibians, other birds, and fish.

Habitat

Lives in a wide variety of habitats – from total desert to dense tropical rainforest.

Nesting

Lays 2 eggs on the ground, in shallow caves, dense undergrowth, or hollow tree stumps and logs. Incubation is 38-41 days, and fledging is approximately 70 days after hatch.

Did you know?

The turkey vulture has a keen sense of smell. Its heightened ability to detect odors – it can detect just a few parts per trillion – allows it to find carrion that is out of sight.