Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
A large, dark soaring bird with a bare red head and a distinctive V-shaped wing posture. Turkey Vultures ride thermals above the grasslands and hills around Vernon — nature's cleanup crew.
Field Note
Turkey Vultures find food almost entirely by smell — not sight. They have one of the best noses in the bird world, able to sniff out a carcass hidden under a forest canopy.
Where to Spot It at ABNC
Look up! They soar on thermals above the hills and open grassland, especially on warm afternoons. They tilt and rock side to side — a useful ID trick to tell them from hawks.
Why It Matters
Vultures are essential scavengers that prevent the spread of disease by quickly consuming carcasses. They are resistant to botulism and other bacteria that would kill most other animals.
Good to Know
Turkey Vultures are nature's recyclers! They eat animals that have already died, which keeps the land clean and healthy. Look up on warm days and watch them rock side to side as they soar.