Bird Gallery Index

Turkey Vulture image © David McDonald

Family: (Cathartidae) New World Vultures

Preferred Habitat: Open country

Seasonal Occurrence: Very common throughout the year. Permanent resident.

Notes: Both Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures are found in Houston. Turkey Vultures prefer fields and open areas to forage and are less likely to be seen within our city limits. They are larger than Black Vultures, with longer tails. In flight the wings of Turkey Vultures are much longer than Black Vultures, with the flight feathers appearing a light silvery-gray. Vultures perform a valuable service in cleaning up the numerous roadkills found on our roads. Their heads and necks are without feathers, a handy adaptation for carrion eaters. Unlike most birds, vultures have a highly developed sense of smell which enables them to find their prey.
- Susan Billetdeaux