<%@include file="menu.html" %>

Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. For assistance in exploring this site, please click here.


If you have feedback regarding this entry please fill out our feedback form.

Turkey Vulture

Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura).
R.J. Long (Saskatchewan Environment) SKCDC, 2001. Ecosystem image information system

The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is one of the seven members of the family Cathartidae or New World vultures. These carrion-feeding birds, with their naked heads, weak, tearing beaks and long soaring wings, resemble the Old World vultures, which are carrion-feeding hawks. However, DNA analysis shows the New World vultures to be closely related to the storks.

The turkey vulture is found throughout Central and southern North America. In Saskatchewan, it is an uncommon nester in river valleys and coulees of the southeast. It can be seen soaring in the thermals of summer days, with its distinctive rectangular black wings and small head.

Diane Secoy

Print Entry

Further Reading

Alsop, Fred J., III. 2002. Birds of Canada. New York: Dorling Kindersley.
HOME | BROWSE BY SUBJECT | ENTRY LIST (A-Z) | IMAGE INDEX | CONTRIBUTOR INDEX | ABOUT THE ENCYCLOPEDIA | SPONSORS
TERMS OF USE | COPYRIGHT © 2006 CANADIAN PLAINS RESEARCH CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF REGINA | POWERED BY MERCURY CMS
This web site was produced with financial assistance
provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan.
University of Regina Government of Canada Government of Saskatchewan Canadian Plains Research Center
Ce site Web a été conçu grâce à l'aide financière de
Diversification de l'économie de l'Ouest Canada et le gouvernement de la Saskatchewan.