Some turkey vultures migrate in flocks, while others join up en route south. The turkey vulture is a brownish black bird with two-tone, black wings and a naked, red head. A large bird, the turkey vulture has a wingspan of nearly 6 feet. Once in the air, the turkey vulture is quite graceful, soaring for hours on updrafts and rising columns of warm air called thermals. In flight, a turkey vulture holds its wings extended into a V-shape, lightly rocking from side to side.
Turkey vultures are able to stay within the thermals by flying in tight circles.
Their diet consists almost entirely of fresh to putrid carrion, although they will occasionally eat decaying vegetation, insects or fish. Efficient scavengers, turkey vultures quickly dispose of carcasses. They are able to consume the bodies of animals that have died of illness or infection without being adversely affected. Turkey vultures are most likely to be found soaring over open or semi-open country, including fields, lightly wooded areas, deserts and foothills. They often congregate in areas known as roosts.