Turkey vulture, turkey or katarta
The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), also known as the turkey bazzard or John crow, is the most widespread of the New World Vultures. The plumage is brownish-black,but the flight feathers on the wings are silver-gray. Its head is red and devoid of feathers, and the beak is yellow. It has short claws, adapted to move on the ground. The size of the bird is 65-80 cmin length, and its wingspan is up to 2 meters. Males are slightly larger than females. The adult’s head is is small in proportion to its body.
The Turkey vulture inhabits the whole New World from southern Canada to Tierra del Fuego. Northern populations migrate.
This bird finds dead animals by sight and smell by flying low over the ground. Along the roadsides it looks out for animals hit by cars. In addition it can feed on insects and fruits of some plants.
The Turkey vultures do not build nests. Eggs are laid in thick bush on the ground, in rock crevices, under fallen leaves. Female generally lays two eggs, both parents incubatefor 40 days. The chicks are born sighted and covered with white down. Nestling feeding period lasts 10-11 weeks, and they begin to fly in 9-10 weeks.
Class
Birds
Family
New World vulture or condor
Latin name
Cathartes aura