Turkey Vulture

I LIVE IN NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA

Turkey vultures are native to farmland and forests throughout North and South America. They can often be seen perching in the treetops with their wings outstretched to soak up the sun rays!

I AM A CARNIVORE

This bird’s favorite meal is carrion, meaning deceased animals. They will eat just about anything they can find, but often gravitate towards larger animals like deer or sheep.

TURKEY VULTURES ARE SOCIAL

The turkey vulture is quite a social bird! Individuals will often fly together in flocks while searching for food or during migration season.

A NOSE LIKE NO OTHER

The turkey vulture is one of the the few bird species that uses their sense of smell to find their next meal, most rely on their sight to locate food. A turkey vulture can smell carrion from as far as 8 miles away!

HELPING TURKEY VULTURES IN THE WILD

By visiting the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, you are supporting local, regional, and global conservation. A portion of every ticket sold goes towards conservation of wildlife and wild places. Each year, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo donates over $250,000 to our conservation partners.

I AM IMPORTANT TO MY ECOSYSTEM

Turkey vultures are scavengers, meaning they feed mainly on carrion and animal scraps. This is extremely beneficial for the environment in that animal carcasses are removed from the environment and the spread of pathogens and bacteria is halted.

Quick Facts

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