67 Turkey Vulture

• A group of Turkey Vultures are called a; Cast / Committee / Meal / Vortex / Wake.
• We saw this pair of vultures on April 26th, 5 miles east of the house.
• New world vultures are said to be closer related to storks than they are to old world vultures. 
• These are carrion eaters. They have a sophisticated immune system to protect them from the decaying flesh.  They have a very good sense of smell, unlike most birds, that aids them in finding dead animals.
• They will have 2 chicks each year that both parents help to raise.
• They get their name from the turkey like head and large dark body size they share with turkeys.  
• They travel on thermals. In the spring they follow the roads to get the heat rising off the black top.  I was very surprised to see them with all the snow still here.
• Vultures don't have a syrinx in which to vocalize, so they use grunts and hissing to communicate.