Vultures

• ​They have featherless heads.

• They are darkly colored.

• They are large.

• Their featherless heads are important! WHY?

Vultures are DIURNAL. This means they are active during the day. They need the sun to create thermals so they can soar on wind updrafts in search of food.

Although they are large, they are often NOT considered birds of prey. They have weak talons and beaks. They eat dead animal carcasses. Which sense do vultures use to find CARRION?

• ​Live in groups of up to 25

• Most of the vultures in PA are TURKEY VULTURES.

• They get a red head and legs when they mature and are black when young.

• They will hiss or grunt but do not sing or call because they do not have a voice box.

• smaller than turkey vultures

• white primary feathers you can see

• shorter tail

• feet trail beyond the tail

• can't soar as well as turkey V's

• Can't smell as well as turkey V's

• Like to collect small treasures like buttons