Turkey vultures obtained their name because of the similarity of their head to that of the turkey.

Though classified for many years as a raptor, the turkey vulture is now considered to be more closely related to storks and should therefore be classified in the order ciconiiformes instead of falconiformes. Nevertheless, it is still usually placed in bird books with the falcons and hawks.

The DNA of the turkey vulture points to a common ancestor with storks. Contrary to raptors and vultures of Eurasia and Africa, turkey vultures are less aggressive and have weak, turkeylike feet more suitable to running than grasping prey. Moreover, their beaks are thinner and weaker than their old world relatives.

Generally they appear in Leelanau in late March and have left for warmer climes by the end of October.

Their diet, besides carrion, includes plants such as pumpkin and bits of other crops as well as shoreline vegetation. Turkey vultures will not feed on live prey. To find food they depend on very keen eyesight and sense of smell. (It may be the only bird in North America that has a sense of smell.)

According to the Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas published in 1991, the turkey vulture is not a confirmed breeder in Leelanau County. However, according to data acquired after 1987, it has been confirmed as a breeding species there. All nesting sites were found to be in abandoned buildings. Other potential nesting sites are on the ground in dense thickets, in caves, hollow logs and stumps, brush piles, and abandoned hawk nests.

Turkey vultures often return to the same nesting site year after year. Though they are commonly found soaring over open fields, in Michigan, their nesting places are often in or on the edge of woodlands. This bird does not “build” a nest but rather digs a sort of depression in the soil or debris surrounding it. Their clutch usually consists of 2 eggs which must be incubated for 38 to 41 days. Both parents incubate. Egg dates in Leelanau are likely from late April through May. Eggs hatch in June through mid July. The young fledge 70-80 days after hatching. This is an extensive period of vulnerability, hence their secretive, isolated, nesting sites. Juvenile turkey vultures have black heads.

The Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas indicates that only 27 of 1,850 blocks had confirmation of nesting. One breeding bird block is 9 square miles. Research indicates also that the home range of a breeding pair is equal to about 12 Atlas blocks, or 3 townships. Interpretation of data is further complicated by the tendency of not just two birds but a sizable group to gather at a food source. Additionally they are commonly found to roost regularly at local sites where the number of roosting birds has been found, at times, to exceed 50 birds.

Turkey vultures are often seen standing or perched with their wings extended. Suggested reasons for this are drying the wings, warming the body, and baking off bacteria.

Turkey vultures have been claimed by some to spit or vomit on potential predators with the claim that the “smell” of the vomit or its acidic content is a deterrent. If most birds are unable to smell, this suggestion is untenable except in the case of non-avian predators. Others suggest that the vulture vomits to reduce its weight to enable a quick escape and that the vomited material will induce its attacker to give up pursuit and instead slake its hunger by consuming this free meal.

Turkey vultures are skilled, graceful gliders. The ratio of bird weight to wing area is low which enables them to remain aloft for long periods of time without flapping their wings. They consistently fly with their wings in a pronounced dihedral (v-shape). This along with their tippiness in flight renders them quickly identifiable by birders. Their dependence on thermals for flight ensures that they do not remain in Leelanau County during the winter.

~bob c.