Animal Fact Sheets back Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Classification and Range Turkey vultures and other New World vultures belong to the family Cathartidae, in the order Ciconiiformes. Other members of this subfamily include the Andean condor, king vulture, black vulture and the highly endangered California condor.
Turkey vultures range from southern Canada to South America.
Habitat Turkey vultures are commonly seen near farms, open areas and woodlands soaring on thermals. They nest in rocky, forested locations. The turkey vulture's plumage is dark brown with a blue, green or purple iridescence. The legs are also pale red and bare. Their feet are weak with blunt toenails and a small hind toe.