Talk:Turkey vulture

message: This article doesn't mention how big these birds are or how much they weigh, etc.  There needs to be a better basic description of these birds methinks.
Coming home from work yesterday a vulture came out of a wooded area (road kill) and could not manuver fast enough to completey clear my truck.  With only a slight thump it returned to the wooded area.  The size of this bird blew my mind.  I had never encountered a bird of that size.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.224.7.88 (talk) 16:43, August 25, 2007 (UTC) 
:While of respectable size, the impression of how big it was can be influenced by the fact that it was moving and the briefness of your encounter with it.  Coming up on a dead mature turkey vulture may take some of the expectations one has and bring them down to earth, so to speak.  People often have an impression that bald eagles are much bigger when alive, but when mounted in a museum, a more realistic view is obtained. I've lived around both my whole life. 104.169.28.113 (talk) 08:15, 24 November 2017 (UTC)
replies: text:  Excuse me, 104.169.28.113, this isn't a forum. Stop treating it like one. 65.175.250.233 (talk) 09:01, 24 November 2017 (UTC)
thread_title:  size?  weight? 

message: The article is right in saying they are moving north, I live 50 miles south of the Canadian Border in Washington and they have moved in and become common in the last 5 years. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 67.110.221.182 (talk) 21:29, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Might be a good idea - climate change and perhaps habitat may be allowing the birds to wander farther north for longer periods of time.  These guys are tough, and resilient. As long as the snow on the ground is not excessive and they can find carrion, some chilly nights don't bug them, trust me. They will also land on the roofs of houses and hang out in pairs, triplets, even seven birds on occasion. Beat it, buzzards! 104.169.28.113 (talk) 08:19, 24 November 2017 (UTC)
thread_title: Moving North

message: Although Turkey Buzzard redirects to this page, nowhere is the more common term mentioned on the main page. Yes, it's a misnomer since buzzards are properly broad-winged hawks; still, the common name for these birds all across the US is "buzzard" or "turkey buzzard" and an encyclopedia entry should mention this. They really aren't vultures, either, or are no closer related to true vultures than they are to true buzzards so leaving out one name in favor of the other looks sloppy. Halfelven 22:41, 6 August 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I don't think it's the most common name - in the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean, it's invariably Turkey Vulture or TV, and English speakers in the Spanish-speaking countries of Central and South America also appear to use the vulture version. And it is a vulture, just a different family to the Old World birds Jimfbleak 06:12, 7 August 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: i have to say i think it's important to represent the state of affairs as it is, and not try to represent any particular viewpoint, especially on relatively arbitrary issues. yes, it's neither a true vulture nor a true buzzard. but depending upon where one lives and who one is raised by, either name could be confidently used to refer to this species (i myself was raised calling them "turkey buzzards", but now prefer to use "turkey vulture"). "common names" names are just that. - Metanoid (talk, email) 05:53, 27 October 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: They ARE true vultures. They are New World Vultures, not Old World Vultures, and the two clades are not closely related - similar evolution is due to lifestyle, resulting in superficial appearance. I've never heard anyone refer to a hawk as "buzzard" - that reference may have died out in the U.S. long ago.104.169.28.113 (talk) 08:22, 24 November 2017 (UTC)

text: Surely the current version reflects the North American colloquial usage of Turkey Buzzard adequately? I don't think that the article suggests that it really is a buzzard, and it is a vulture, although the relationships with other families is in a state  of flux. Jimfbleak 10:05, 27 October 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: no, no, it's fine! just for the rec, i wasn't sure what the current state of affairs was and i might be back around in the near future, is all. :) - Metanoid (talk, email) 10:23, 27 October 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Turkey Buzzard 

message: :Caption on one of the pictures says "horaltic" pose.  Should this be perhaps "heraldic"?Cvjara (talk) 17:42, 11 April 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: Hmm.  Seems to me this was discussed somewhere when this article was being developed, and the term was found to be a bogus one.  Thought it had been removed, but looks like it hasn't!  I'll do so now.  MeegsC | Talk 22:22, 11 April 2008 (UTC)
thread_title: Horaltic

message: I stumbled on a website that said this bird lived to be 118. I've stumbled on many but they all seem to be quoting a bulletin made by :
Forest Preserve District of Cook County presents examples of extreme old age in a nature bulletin (No. 486-A, dated  March 24, 1973). 
http://www.wonderquest.com/LifeSpan-MaxMin.htm
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/natbltn/400-499/nb486.htm
I have only found this 118 year claim on searches for Turkey Buzzard and not for Turkey Vulture. Any ideas if there is any validity to this claim? If so it  would be an interesting point to include in the article. I really don't want to add the info myself unless someone confirms this because I honestly have no idea.
Fa1512 (talk) 13:00, 3 June 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: There is no reliable primary source, and certainly the longest life spans defy belief. The BTO, which is a reliable sources, give 28 years as the maximum for a Mute Swan jimfbleak (talk) 17:58, 26 September 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Life span 

message: I don't know about 118 years, but at the raptor rehabilitation center I volunteer at, we have a turkey vulture that came in from the wild in 1988 (as an adult) and is still quite well, contrary to the described life span in captivity in the article.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.97.217.4 (talk) 17:45, 26 September 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Life span--more 

message: These have become more common in the North East U.S. and can be seen soaring over highways in the Boston area.  I have seen them on the ground eating road kill, and they're bigger than every bird in this area except the recently re-introduced Bald Eagle.  They look just like hawks (with squared wing tips) except they fly in groups.
This is a simple distinction, while sometimes two hunting raptors can be seen flying together, the vultures often soar in small groups.  I have also flown with them when hang gliding, three made a formation in front and three behind as we soared across the ridge.  They're not skittish in the air :-)  A hawk I approached during that same flight saw me, folded up it's wings, and dropped away !
The main Vulture page mentions 'kettle', and gives an example of large numbers of hawks flying together before migrating.  This is news to me.  Can this go in the [behavior] section ?
Thanks,
- Lyle  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.62.10.11 (talk) 20:32, 24 October 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Soaring habbits 

message: is it normal for these birds to circle potential meals, ive seen groups circle overhead far off, this is normal right?  —Preceding unsigned comment added by Murakumo-Elite (talk • contribs) 08:00, 25 November 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  request elaboration on flight habits 

message: Requesting references for all dubious statements regarding sense of smell. It is a well known scientific fact that all birds lost the sense of smell at an early ancestral stage before extant species developed, even missing cranial nerve zero. Size of a brain lobe does not necessarily indicate strength of function, and Irene Pepperberg has demonstrated that, in fact, birds use different brain structures for functions that differ from mammals. Therefore, it is QUITE counter intuitive, contrary to popular belief, that ANY bird would have a sense of smell.Jkhamlin (talk) 15:45, 15 February 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: I'll go digging for the refs later today, but  deals with the ability to smell in Yellow-headed Vultures. Rufous-crowned Sparrow (talk) 18:51, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

text: Incorrect! Turkey vultures, kiwis, and a couple of other species all have good senses of smell.  Early on, birds inherited a great sense of smell from their non-avian dino ancestors - some birds retained this.  Many RS's are available if needed. 104.169.28.113 (talk) 09:08, 24 November 2017 (UTC)
thread_title: Sense of Smell

message: I have been observing Turkey Vultures on and near my property in Morris County NJ for 20 years.  I have personally observed Turkey buzzards killing live prey 3 times.  In the first instance, a Vulture dove on a Robin on the ground, killed it and devored it in less than a minute. The second instance was similar except the Vulture killed a gray squirrel.  He devored most of it on the ground.  He did NOT fly off with it like a hawk would.  The third instance involved a very large flock of blackbirds.  The Vulture landed in my tree while the large swarm of blackbirds was accross the street about 200 yards away.  He waited for the flock to land on my lawn and after a few minutes he dove off the limb directly to the lawn killing and devoring a blackbird.  In my opinion, Turkey Vultures do hunt and kill live prey much more often than what is stated in the article.
Rjs324 (talk) 13:30, 12 October 2011 (UTC)
replies: text: Comment: I highly doubt this. Turkey vulture are relatively clumsy fliers that lack the speed and agility to catch live prey. Their feet are flat and non-raptorial, lacking the gripping ability and strength needed to capture live prey.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.59.176.87 (talk) 18:45, 14 April 2013 (UTC)

text: A turkey vulture downing a skwarl boggles the mind. Are you sure what you saw was a buzzard? There are predatory black birds of respectable sizes but not as big as a turkey vulture which will take down a squirrel - see swallow-tailed kite.  Squirrels are "all muscle" and put up a fight when caught by hawks - until those 1, 2 pokes with that sharp, killing beak - then Sammy Skwarl goes nite-nite.  Buzzards don't have the sharp clawed talons and beak for such activity. 104.169.28.113 (talk) 08:33, 24 November 2017 (UTC)
replies: text:  Need I remind you that the talk page isn't a forum? I suggest you refer yourself to WP:FORUM. 65.175.250.233 (talk) 09:07, 24 November 2017 (UTC)
replies: text: No, you don't as I am a strong enforcer of WP:FORUM - this is a discussion on point about a statement in the article about the turkey vulture NOT being a predator. Big difference.104.169.28.113 (talk) 09:09, 24 November 2017 (UTC)
replies: text: Funny, you seem fine with treating Wikipedia like a forum whenever it strikes your fancy. 65.175.250.233 (talk) 09:12, 24 November 2017 (UTC)

text: Nope, never have, never will, you are trolling, and wasting space here. Surely there are other things for you to occupy your time in New Hampshire. Cheers!  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 104.169.28.113 (talk) 09:15, 24 November 2017 (UTC)
replies: text:  I found 4 examples skimming your brief edit history, two on this very page. If there is one thing in this world I can't stand it's hypocrites. I'm actually in Maine by the way ;). I'm positive making passive aggressive comments about other users' I.P. addresses is against the rules also... Perhaps I should report this exchange? 65.175.250.233 (talk) 09:24, 24 November 2017 (UTC)

text: This discussion needs to end. Personal observation are useless in articles. If there is a citation that supports live predation then add it to the article.  Dger (talk) 03:21, 26 November 2017 (UTC)
thread_title:  DIET-Predation of live animals 

message: Surely this should be "Turkey vulture". It is not, in any sense I can think of, a proper noun. Someone needs to swap the names of this article, "Turkey Vulture", and the "Turkey vulture" redirect. --Kaz (talk) 15:28, 9 March 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: It is a convention that bird names are capitalized (unlike mammals).  Dger (talk) 22:31, 6 May 2012 (UTC)
replies: text: Then, why is it not capitalized on the text?  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.43.244.29 (talk) 20:21, 21 June 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  Why is Vulture Capitalized? 

message: The range map suggests that the birds are only in north central North America, the yellow area, in summer; and only present from the So. USA to Tierra del Fuego in winter.  This does not match the article text, and suggests that there is nowhere that the birds live all year round. - Smerdis of Tlön - killing the human spirit since 2003! 01:25, 26 December 2014 (UTC)
thread_title:  Range map 

message: Between the recording of the audio version currently linked to from the bottom of this article, and today,  has changed. Should we now delete that outdated link? Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 09:28, 26 December 2014 (UTC)
thread_title:  Audio version 

message: I'd like to suggest the inclusion of this photo. Regards, OTAVIO1981 (talk) 20:57, 30 May 2016 (UTC)
thread_title:  new photo 

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thread_title:  External links modified 

message: Hello fellow Wikipedians,
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thread_title:  External links modified 

message: did someone copy paste the sizes of the bird from a smaller species? they can't seriously be suggesting its wingspan is just above 0.5 cm, can they? 82.68.21.120 (talk) 18:22, 14 November 2021 (UTC)
replies: text: Good catch, It was vandalism and I've reverted it now. Thanks,   Dracophyllum 01:05, 15 November 2021 (UTC)
thread_title:  size? 

message: Hello! This is to let editors know that :File:Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) in flight.JPG, a featured picture used in this article, has been selected as the English Wikipedia's picture of the day (POTD) for January 2, 2022. A preview of the POTD is displayed below and can be edited at Template:POTD/2022-01-02. For the greater benefit of readers, any potential improvements or maintenance that could benefit the quality of this article should be done before its scheduled appearance on the Main Page.  If you have any concerns, please place a message at Wikipedia talk:Picture of the day. Thank you! Cwmhiraeth (talk) 20:26, 27 December 2021 (UTC)
thread_title:  Featured picture scheduled for POTD 

message: Looking over this older featured article as part of WP:URFA/2020A, and have a few concerns
* Some of the book sources are missing page numbers, which is a minor verifiability issue
* "Both are basal members of the clade Afroaves," - source does not mention Old World Vultures
* "n flight, the tail is long and slim. The black vulture is relatively shorter-tailed and shorter-winged, which makes it appear rather smaller in flight than the turkey vulture, although the body masses of the two species are roughly the same. The nostrils are not divided by a septum, but rather are perforate; from the side one can see through the beak" - unclear what the first part is source to; the source (Concise Oxford Dictionary) only covers the sentence about the perforate nostrils
* "As of 2022, there is one captive bird over 48 years old" - a significantly stronger claim that the source makes, as the source only quotes somehow saying that he's probably one of the oldest in the US, while our article makes this claim as if he's a certainty as the oldest
* " with an estimated global occurrence of 28,000,000 km2 (11,000,000 sq mi)" - this specific claim does not seem to be in the source (at least not anymore)
* "This bird with its crow-like aspect gave foot to the naming of the Quebrada de los Cuervos (Crows Ravine) in Uruguay, where they dwell together with the lesser yellow-headed vulture and the black vulture" - stuck in at the end of the distribution section, but it doesn't seem to have any strong connection with the rest of that material
* Close paraphrasing - article has , source has 
* What makes "QandA". Vulturesociety.homestead.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-22. Retrieved 2012-08-13. a high-quality RS?
Hopefully these can be addressed, but if not, featured article review may be necessary. Hog Farm  Talk 03:47, 15 July 2023 (UTC)
thread_title:  FA notes