Size:Length; 81cm. Wingspan; 200cm.Weight; 2kg.

Habitat and Distribution: North America down to Costa Rica. Variety of habitat from desert to coastal and grassland areas to rainforest.

Age: Around 17 years.

Groups and Breeding: Nest in shallow caves, in hollow tree stumps or on the ground in dense undergrowth. Lay 2 eggs which are incubated for around 40 days.

Diet: These birds are scavengers on carcasses

• One of 7 species which form the Cathartidae family (new world vultures).
• One of the few birds which has a highly developed sense of smell, which is used to help them locate carcasses.
• They lack a syrinx which is the vocal organ of birds and therefore Turkey Vultures are only capable of grunts or low hisses.
• They have a bald head which prevents them getting feathers soiled when they feed on carcasses: vultures can often be seen with their whole head inside a carcass during a meal.