Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
-A well-developed sense of smell helps these birds locate their next meals, which is typically carrion (dead animals)
-These unique birds can be found along the southern parts of the U.S. year-round and across the remaining U.S. during breeding season
-As a warning signal when threatened, these vultures make an unmistakable hissing sound, followed by a pungent smell (thanks to coughed-up, half-digested food) that is used to ward off enemies
-Nesting sites are in sheltered areas such as tree hollows, caves, dense thickets, or under rocky cliffs
-The nests do not require any material as the eggs are simply laid upon the flat bottom of the site
-Offspring: 1-2 off-white eggs with brown and lavender blotches are incubated by both parents
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
You will see four turkey vultures in this exhibit, alongside a common raven and an American crow. Vultures are often depicted in movies as being scary animals or signs of death (because they follow the scents of dead animals to eat).
Cathartes aura
-A well-developed sense of smell helps these birds locate their next meals, which is typically carrion (dead animals)
-These unique birds can be found along the southern parts of the U.S. year-round and across the remaining U.S. during breeding season
-As a warning signal when threatened, these vultures make an unmistakable hissing sound, followed by a pungent smell (thanks to coughed-up, half-digested food) that is used to ward off enemies
-Nesting sites are in sheltered areas such as tree hollows, caves, dense thickets, or under rocky cliffs
-The nests do not require any material as the eggs are simply laid upon the flat bottom of the site
-Offspring: 1-2 off-white eggs with brown and lavender blotches are incubated by both parents
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
You will see four turkey vultures in this exhibit, alongside a common raven and an American crow. Vultures are often depicted in movies as being scary animals or signs of death (because they follow the scents of dead animals to eat).