Turkey Vulture (Commonly called Buzzard)

Large soaring bird with a 6-foot wingspan, iconic red featherless head, and dark plumage. In flight, they hold their wings in a 'V' shape (dihedral) and rock unsteadily

Two-toned appearance: the outer/trailing edge is a silvery-gray to pale brownish-gray, while the inner/leading edge portion and tip are dark brownish-black to charcoal

Densely packed pennaceous barbs throughout the majority of the vane for structural integrity; plumulaceous (downy) barbs present at the very base (calamus)

Relatively stiff and smooth; the surface is matte with a slightly oily, water-repellent coating and a distinct velvety feel common to large soaring birds

Silvery-gray trailing edge contrasting with dark leading edge; lacks the dramatic barring of hawks or the white patches of eagles

Extremely versatile: found in open countryside, subtropical forests, shrublands, deserts, and even urban areas where carrion is available

Widely distributed throughout the Americas, from southern Canada to the tip of South America; northern populations are migratory

Nature's cleanup crew; as obligate scavengers, they prevent the spread of diseases like anthrax and rabies by consuming carcasses

Black Vulture (feathers are shorter, darker, and lack the silver-gray edge); Red-tailed Hawk (shows distinct dark barring and different coloration)

Turkey Vultures have an extraordinary sense of smell, able to detect carrion from miles away; they also use urohydrosis (defecating on legs) to cool down

Good condition; minor fraying at the tip and trailing edge suggests this is a naturally molted feather from an adult bird during summer molt