Turkey vulture
The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), is a bird found throughout most of the Americas. It is also known as the turkey buzzard (or just buzzard), and in some areas of the Caribbean as John crow or carrion crow.
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| Cathartes aura (Linnaeus, 1758)
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It is one of three species in the genus Cathartes, ranging from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. It lives in open and semi-open areas, including subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, and deserts.
The turkey vulture got its common name from the resemblance of the adult's bald red head and its dark plumage to that of the male wild turkey. The name "vulture" comes from the Latin word vulturus, meaning "tearer", and is a reference to its feeding habits.
Turkey Vulture Media
Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura aura) in flight, Vinales, Cuba
- Cathartes aura Guala cabecirroja Turkey Vulture (6843833617).jpg
Cathartes aura Guala cabecirroja Turkey Vulture (6843833617)
- Turkey Vulture (4302396171) (cropped).jpg
Turkey Vulture (4302396171) (cropped)
- Cathartes aura at Tomales Bay.jpg
Cathartes aura at Tomales Bay
- Turkey Vulture Perched.jpg
Trinidad 2014, Caribbean
- Eastern Turkey Vulture (Canada).jpg
Eastern Turkey Vulture (Canada)
- Cathartes aura cranium.jpg
Skull of turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)
- Eastern Turkey Vulture in flight, Canada.jpg
An eastern turkey vulture (C. a. septentrionalis) in flight (Canada)
Turkey vultures coming in to the same roost they use for the season.
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Adult bird in horaltic pose