Turkey Vulture soaring in the Genesee River Gorge, NY USA.
The Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, is a bird found throughout most of the Americas. It also known in some North American regions as the Turkey Buzzard (or just "buzzard"), and in some areas of the Caribbean as the John Crow or Carrion Crow.[2] One of three species in the genus Cathartes, in the family Cathartidae, the Turkey Vulture is the most widespread of the New World vultures,[3] ranging from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. It inhabits a variety of open and semi-open areas, including subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, and deserts.[1] The Turkey Vulture is a large bird. It has a wingspan of 170–183 cm (67–72 in), a length of 64–81 cm (25–32 in), and weight of – kg (–5 lb),[4][5][6][7] It has dark brown to black plumage; a featherless, purplish-red head and neck; and a short, hooked, ivory-colored beak. Its life expectancy in the wild ranges upward of 16 years, with a captive life span of over 20 years being possible. [8]
Size: 5120px × 3401px
Location: New York State, USA
Photo credit: © Peter Steiner / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: americas, autumn, avian, awe, awesome, bird, buzzard, carrion, cathartes-aura, fall, feathers, feed, feeder, flight, fly, foliage, graceful, horizontal, large, lift, north-america, raptor, scavenger, soar, soaring, thermal, thermals, turkey, vulture, wing, winged, wings
