VICTOR AND TURKEY VULTURE FACTS

*vICTOR WAS FOUND IN A BARN AS AN INFANT IN 2009 

*HIS WING WAS ALREADY FULLY MISSING-- WE DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE 

*hE LOVES TO PURR-- TURKEY vULTURES CAN MAKE SEVERAL LOW GUTTURAL SOUNDS, ALONG WITH HISSES WHEN NOT PLEASED

*sUNNY SKIES ARE THE BEST-- VICTOR AND OTHER TURKEY VULTURES LOVE TO SUN THEMSELVES TO RAISE THEIR BODY TEMPERATURES, ESPECIALLY AFTER A COOL NIGHT OR DURING COOLER MONTHS

*tURKEY VULTURES TYPCIALLY MIGRATE FROM wISCONSIN IN KETTLES

*fROM WISCONSIN THEY MIGRATE TYPICALLY TO SOUTHERN US, CENTRAL AMERICA, AND EVEN AS FAR AS SOUTH AMERICA

*THEY ARE CARRION EATERS-- THEIR HEADS PURPOSELY DO NOT HAVE MANY IF ANY FEATHERS ON THEM SO THE MEAT STUCK TO THE HEADS CAN BAKE AND FALL OFF

*vOMITTING IS THEIR MAIN WAY TO WARN PREDATORS TO STAY AWAY

*TURKEY VULTURES HAVE A VERY SHARP AND STRONG BEAK-- THEY CAN CAUSE WOUNDS AND BRUSING FROM A SINGLE BITE

*DEFECATING ON THEIR LEGS IS HOW TURKEY VULTURES COOL OFF-- A PROCESS CALLED UROHIDROSIS

*TURKEY VULTURES CAN LIVE TO OVER 20 YEARS OLD IN THE WILD

*TURKEY VULTURES HAVE A 6 FOOT WINGSPAN BUT ONLY WEIGH ABOUT 3 POUNDS

*TURKEY VULTURES ARE NOT BUZZARDS!

*tURKEY VULTURES CAN SMELL CARRION FROM OVER A MILE AWAY

*YOU CAN SPOT A TURKEY VULTURE IN THE SKY BY THEIR V FORMATION OF THEIR WINGS, THE SILVER TIPS OF THEIR PRIMARIES, AND HOW THEY MOSTLY WILL RIDE THERMALS-- GLIDING ON WIND OR AIR STREAMS TO CONSERVE ENERGY

*BOTH PARENTS INCUBATE THE EGGS AND RAISE THE YOUNG; YOUNG STAY WITH TURKEY VULTURES UNTIL MIGRATION