If you're a birder, you'll know what a life list is. It's basically a list of all the bird species one has observed and positively ID'd in one's lifetime. This blog is a record of my "critter" life list (mostly of birds), including photos I've taken over the years, some of the actual lifer if I was lucky enough to get the shot. Don't expect National Geographic quality stuff here, just the work of an amateur photog who loves to trudge out into nature.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)


3/20/05 Bitterwater Road, San Luis Obispo County, CA

1/16/05 A kettle of turkey vultures, riding the thermals. Estuary walk at Morro Bay 
Winter Bird Festival, San Luis Obispo County, CA

5/25/03 Cedar Canyon Road, E. Mojave National Preserve, San Bernardino County, CA
3/4/17 Riding the thermals over Shaver's Valley, E. Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Turkey Vulture

SPECIES: Cathartes aura

FAMILY: Cathartidae (New World Vultures)

LIFE LIST DATE: 10/6/2002

LOCATION: Imperial County Wildlife Area, Salton Sea, CA

From Kaufman Focus Guide: Birds of North America:

BEHAVIOR/HABITAT: Very common in warmer climates, soaring all day over open country, forests, deserts. Many may roost together in tall trees at night. Flocks also come together in migration or to feed on carcasses. 

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 26" w 67"; Very large with long wings, long tail, small head. Soars with wings held in shallow V; when flapping on takeoff, wingbeats are deep, ponderous. Two-toned look to underwing, black wing linings against gray flight feathers. Juveniles have gray head, not red.

VOICE: Grunts and hisses, mostly heard at nest or when competing over food.
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