THE ANIMAL FILES

Turkey vulture

Cathartes aura

A smell rising from under leaves can guide a bird above the canopy.

Turkey vultures locate carrion using smell as well as sight. They soar with wings held in a shallow V and often roost communally before dispersing to feed. Locating a carcass and opening it are different challenges, sometimes involving other scavengers.[1]

Follow the evidence ↓
Turkey vulture
Image: Andrey from Finland · Commons · CC BY 2.0
Main food
Carrion[1]
Search sense
Well-developed smell[1]
Flight
Soaring on rising air[1]

Searching by scent

Odours from early decay can reveal carrion hidden beneath forest cover. Turkey vultures have a well-developed olfactory system and may fly low while searching. Other scavengers can follow them toward a carcass. This makes a concealed food source accessible without requiring a clear aerial view of the entire body.[1]

Finding is not the same as opening

The bill may struggle with tough hide on a large carcass. Larger scavengers can open that barrier, after which turkey vultures gain access. Competition and access therefore interact: an animal that arrives later can displace another yet also expose food it could not previously reach. Outcomes vary with the species and setting.[1]

Soaring and spreading wings

In flight, shallow V-shaped wings and side-to-side tipping are familiar. Rising thermals reduce the need for frequent flapping. On the ground, spread-wing postures are especially common after damp nights and are associated with drying and warming. Several functions have been proposed, so one posture need not have one exclusive purpose.[1]

A COMMON MIX-UP

Can it only locate food that is clearly visible from the air?

No. Smell helps locate carrion concealed by vegetation.[1]

TRY A LITTLE REASONING

How can another scavenger both compete with and assist a turkey vulture?

Reveal the explanation

It may displace the vulture but open tough hide, creating access to food inside.[1]

Sources & editorial notes

Adapted and translated from the cited Wikipedia revisions, with source-linked reasoning. Image credit and licence are listed separately above.

Adapted and translated from Wikipedia contributors; exact revisions are linked below. CC BY-SA 4.0

  1. Wikipedia contributors — Cathartes aura (adapted and translated; exact revision)
  2. NCBI Taxonomy — Cathartes aura (identity and game lineage)

Last fact check:

One discovery leads to another

Andean condorA huge bird can travel on rising air.Vultur gryphus ↗Black vultureA soaring scavenger can find a meal by watching another scavenger.Coragyps atratus ↗Golden eagleGolden at the nape, variable through youth.Aquila chrysaetos ↗