Turkey Vulture
(Carthartes aura)
Migration Timeframe:
Migration for Turkey Vultures begins mid September , albeit slowly.
We seldom count any TV's observed early in September given
these are typically local groups moving around within the
hawkwatch area...and not really migrating anywhere. However,
in the last few days of September numbers increase rapidly, peaking
during the first two weeks of October. They continue to migrate
throughout October, and into November and a few have even been observed
in December.
|
Year |
Peak Week |
Avg |
|
2002-2007 |
Oct 13-19 |
4,630 |
|
Year |
Peak Week |
Count |
|
2008 |
Oct 13-19 |
8,790 |
|
Year |
Earliest
Obs |
Count |
Year |
Latest
Obs |
Count |
|
2002-2007 |
Sep 02 2005 |
19 |
2002-2007 |
Dec 01 2007 |
2 |
|
2008 |
Sep 22 |
9 |
2008 |
Nov 22 |
2 |
Where to Watch:
The Turkey Vultures tend to soar in large kettles
in thermals forming over flat farmland to the east and north of the
hawkwatch. They're very large dark birds and easy to spot spiralling
upward, gaining lift and then power gliding off westward to the next
thermal. Experienced observers will look for the flight lines being
used by the Turkey Vultures to spot smaller raptors that are moving
with them. This can be a big help when the skies are pure blue and
there's not a cloud in sight!!
High Counts:
The Turkey Vulture continues to see a serious upward trend in yearly
counts. In 2008 the total continued to climb with 22,065...with a
new record 1-week count of 8,790 set during their normal peak week of Oct
13-19.
|
1-Year |
Count |
1-Month |
Count |
1-Week |
Count |
|
2006 |
25,567 |
2006 |
25,567 |
Oct 13-19
2008 |
8,790 |
|
1-Day |
Count |
1-Hour |
Count |
|
Oct 15 2006 |
5,479 |
Oct
24 2006 |
1,700 |
Yearly Totals:
The 2008 yearly total was slightly ahead of last years final tally
and exceeded both the 10-Year and the 5-Year averages. (averages are based on 1998-2007 and 2003-2007
counts).
|
Year |
Count |
Year |
Count |
Year |
Count |
|
1995 |
2,581 |
2000 |
6,294 |
2005 |
14,280 |
|
1996 |
4,106 |
2001 |
6,196 |
2006 |
25,567 |
|
1997 |
4,044 |
2002 |
9,189 |
2007 |
21,315 |
|
1998 |
2,902 |
2003 |
14,303 |
2008 |
22,065 |
|
1999 |
7,225 |
2004 |
10,156 |
2009 |
N/A |
|
10-Yr Avg |
5-Yr Avg |
|
11,717 |
17,124 |
Interesting Facts:
-
Most TV's winter in subtropical and tropical areas south of
the U.S. to central. South America, and on Caribbean
islands. Occasionally will winter north of North Carolina.
-
In 14 years, 1995 to 2008, Turkey Vultures (149,968) represent
16% of all migrating raptors ID’d (928,357) at Hawk
Cliff.
-
Sexes similar in size, but males average slightly larger than
females.
-
Note - resident birds in southern Florida average smaller than
northern birds.
-
Hunts in groups or singly using olfaction (i.e. its sense of
smell).
-
A group of vultures is typically called a "venue".
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