Difference between revisions of "Turkey vulture"
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|genus=Cathartes | |genus=Cathartes | ||
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| − | |species=C. aura | + | |species=C. aura |
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|sub= | |sub= | ||
|alt= | |alt= | ||
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| + | '''Turkey vulture''' (''Cathartes aura''), most abundant and widespread New World vulture. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Description== | ||
| + | Turkey vultures are eagle-sized. They are 25-32 inches in length, with a wingspan up to 72 inches. The plumage is primarily blackish in color, with both primary and secondary flight feathers a paler color. The head, devoid of feathers, is red in color; it is this feature that gives the bird its name, after the wild [[turkey (bird)|turkey]]. Immature birds have a grey head. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Range== | ||
| + | Turkey vultures are found year-round in the American southern states, south to Tierra del Fuego in [[Argentina]]; during breeding they extend their range north into southern [[Canada]], and to the west coast of North America. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | Primarily attached to deciduous woodlands and forests, yet often seen over nearby farmland and suburban areas. | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Vultures]] | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Vultures]] | ||
Revision as of 06:00, May 3, 2013
| Turkey Vulture | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Class Information | |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Aves |
| Sub-class | Neornithes |
| Order Information | |
| Order | Cathartiformes |
| Family Information | |
| Family | Cathartidae |
| Sub-family | Cathartinae |
| Genus Information | |
| Genus | Cathartes |
| Species Information | |
| Species | C. aura |
| Population statistics | |
Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), most abundant and widespread New World vulture.
Description
Turkey vultures are eagle-sized. They are 25-32 inches in length, with a wingspan up to 72 inches. The plumage is primarily blackish in color, with both primary and secondary flight feathers a paler color. The head, devoid of feathers, is red in color; it is this feature that gives the bird its name, after the wild turkey. Immature birds have a grey head.
Range
Turkey vultures are found year-round in the American southern states, south to Tierra del Fuego in Argentina; during breeding they extend their range north into southern Canada, and to the west coast of North America.
Habitat
Primarily attached to deciduous woodlands and forests, yet often seen over nearby farmland and suburban areas.