Turkey vulture facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Turkey vulture |
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Cathartes
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| Cathartes aura (Linnaeus, 1758)
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The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is a large bird found across most of the Americas. People also call it the turkey buzzard or simply buzzard. In some parts of the Caribbean, it's known as John crow or carrion crow.
This amazing bird is one of three species in its group, Cathartes. It lives everywhere from southern Canada all the way to the very tip of South America. You can find turkey vultures in open areas and places with some trees, like warm forests, bushy lands, pastures, and even deserts. The turkey vulture got its name because its bald red head and dark feathers look a lot like a male wild turkey. The word "vulture" comes from a Latin word meaning "tearer," which describes how it eats.
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What is a Turkey Vulture?
The turkey vulture is a type of New World vulture. These birds are known for eating dead animals. They are super important for keeping nature clean. They help get rid of animal remains, which stops diseases from spreading.
Where Turkey Vultures Live
Turkey vultures live in many different places. They can be found in warm, sunny areas and also in cooler regions. Their wide range shows how well they can adapt to different environments. They prefer places where they can easily find food.
Why They are Called Turkey Vultures
The name "turkey vulture" comes from how much they look like wild turkeys. Adult turkey vultures have a red, featherless head. Their dark body feathers also remind people of turkeys. This unique look helps them stay clean when they are eating.
How Turkey Vultures Find Food
Turkey vultures have an amazing sense of smell. They can find dead animals from high up in the sky. This is very unusual for birds. Most birds rely on their eyesight to find food.
Their Special Sense of Smell
Their excellent sense of smell helps them find fresh carcasses. They can even smell tiny amounts of chemicals released by decaying bodies. This makes them very good at their job as nature's clean-up crew. They often fly in circles, looking and smelling for their next meal.
What They Eat
Turkey vultures mostly eat carrion, which is the meat of dead animals. They prefer freshly dead animals. They play a vital role in the ecosystem by removing these remains. Sometimes, they might eat plants or even small, weak live animals, but this is rare.
Turkey Vulture Life Cycle
Turkey vultures build their nests in hidden spots. They don't build fancy nests like some birds. They might use caves, hollow logs, or thick bushes.
Nesting and Eggs
Female turkey vultures usually lay one to three eggs. The eggs are creamy white with brown spots. Both parents take turns sitting on the eggs to keep them warm. This period is called incubation.
Raising the Chicks
Once the chicks hatch, they are covered in white downy feathers. Both parents feed them. The young birds grow quickly. They learn to fly after about two to three months. They stay with their parents for a while, learning how to find food.
Images for kids
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In flight over Cuba
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An eastern turkey vulture (C. a. septentrionalis) (Canada)
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Skull of a turkey vulture
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An eastern turkey vulture (C. a. septentrionalis) in flight (Canada)
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Adult bird in horaltic pose
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One chick immediately hatched and one egg not yet hatched
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A turkey vulture eating a garter snake
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A side view, showing the perforated nostrils
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See also
In Spanish: Lore gallipavo para niños
