Turkey Vulture
- Cathartes Aura
- The most common vulture of the Americas, the turkey vulture is fairly large with a 6 foot wingspan.
- Vultures have evolved to lack feathers on their heads and necks because they are unable to preen and clean those feathers after they feed on rotting carcasses.
- The olfactory bulb of their brain used for sense of smell is very large for a bird which allows them to find rotting carrion on which they feast.
- When temperatures get too hot for the vultures they urinate thick white urine (uric acid) which runs down their legs and cools them off via evaporative cooling.
- They are protected under the Migratory Bird Act.
Location at Palm Beach Zoo
- Florida Wetlands Birds of Prey Exhibit
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