Turkey buzzard: one ugly bird
— Photo by DON BARTLING Turkey buzzards usually have a wing span of 66-70 inches, a long square tail and ivory bill.
— Photo by DON BARTLING Turkey buzzard feeding on whitetail deer carcass.
— Photo by DON BARTLING After spending the summer in Boundary County, they migrate to Mexico, Central America or South America.
Several weeks ago while returning from Canada, I decided to take the Farm to Market Road from the border to the Copeland Road, then east to Highway 1, and then south to Highway 95. As I was traveling south on the gravel road, I noticed a small farm pond with several large black birds hovering over the area. In total, four were in the air and one was on a whitetail deer carcass.
The scene captivated my attention and my camera as I stopped my vehicle and walked up to the edge of the pond.
The big black bird was one ugly bird. He was a turkey buzzard or “vulture.” Other birds, magpies and ravens, were trying to distract him, but he stayed on the carcass. The large, featherless, wrinkled head continually buried itself into the carcass to feed. I could see why they named him a turkey buzzard with his unmistakable bald red head. The tips of his wings ended in finger-like projections; he had a long square tail and an ivory bill.
Turkey buzzards or vultures eat carrion, which they find largely by their excellent sense of smell. Mostly, they eat mammals but are not above snacking on reptiles, other birds, fish and even invertebrates. They prefer freshly dead animals, but often have to wait for their meal to soften in order to pierce the skin. They are deft foragers, targeting the softest bits first. Thankfully for them, vultures appear to have excellent immune systems, happily feasting on carcasses without contacting any diseases. Turkey vultures almost never attack living prey.
The turkey buzzard species is widespread over open country, woods and foothills. They are most common over open or semi-open country, especially within a few miles of rocky or wooded areas providing secure nesting sites. The dark, long-winged form of the turkey buzzard is a familiar sight in the sky over much of North Idaho, soaring high over the landscape. The buzzard’s naked head is an adaptation to reduce risk of feather fouling or picking up diseases from carcasses. Unlike hawks and eagles, the buzzard has weak feet more suited to walking than grasping. It is one of the few birds that has a developed sense of smell. Mostly mute, making only grunts and groans, they are often seen in trees or deadheads in the river with wings outstretched to catch sun.
The turkey buzzard is smaller than the bald or golden eagle, but larger than a red-tailed hawk. He flies holding his wings in a slight V shape, unlike the eagle’s straight wing position. The female usually has two eggs, which incubate over a period of 38-41 days. The fledging period lasts from 66-88 days, and both the male and female buzzards are involved with incubation and feeding the young. They have a wing span of 66-70 inches and an average weight around 70 ounces.
The turkey buzzard’s distinctive slow, teetering flight style probably helps the bird soar at low altitudes where it is best able to use its nose to find carrion. On the ground, it moves with ungainly hops and is less agile than other birds of similar size. Often, especially in the morning, it stands erect, wings spread in the sun, presumable to warm up, cool off or dry off. Turkey buzzards live in Boundary County in the summer and then migrate to Mexico, Central America and South America for the rest of the year.