Turkey Vulture

The Turkey Vulture is a large dark brown colored raptor (bird of prey), with a reddish head. They have up to a 6 foot wing span when measured tip to tip.  There are two birds larger than a Turkey Vulture; the Eagle (with a wing span up to 7 ½ feet), and the Condor (with a wing span up to almost 10 feet).

The Turkey Vulture does not have any feathers on his head.

They may not have the prettiest face, but they are quite an amazing bird.  They take care of the remains of recently decayed animals with their keen sense of sight and smell. 

This Turkey Vulture is soaring over a recently cut hay field looking for the remains of mice and other rodents. 

These Turkey Vultures are all perched to take care of the remains of a deer that was hit and killed by a car.

Next time you see one of these giant birds soaring high (or low) in the sky remember, they are keeping things cleaned up for all of us, and that's a good thing!