Turkey Vulture vs Black Vulture
Which vulture is circling overhead?
The quick tell
Look at the underwing. A Turkey Vulture shows a silvery trailing edge along the whole wing and teeters side to side in a shallow V, rarely flapping. A Black Vulture shows white only at the wingtips - pale "windows" - and alternates quick, choppy flaps with flat-winged glides.
Field marks, side by side
| Turkey Vulture | Black Vulture | |
|---|---|---|
| Underwing | Silver trailing edge the full length | White patches at wingtips only |
| Flight | Wobbly, teetering, wings in a V (dihedral) | Flat wings, snappy flaps between glides |
| Head | Bare red (gray in juveniles) | Bare gray-black |
| Tail | Long, extends well past the body | Stubby, barely past the wings |
Still not sure which one you found?
Point Huck at it. One photo identifies it on the spot - and adds it to your collection.
Get Huck - freeCommon questions
How does each vulture find carrion?
Turkey Vultures have an extraordinary sense of smell and can locate carcasses under forest canopy. Black Vultures hunt mostly by sight - including by watching Turkey Vultures descend, then muscling in on the find in numbers.
Are vultures dangerous to pets or livestock?
Turkey Vultures essentially never take live prey. Black Vultures occasionally gang up on vulnerable newborn livestock, which gives ranchers headaches, but a healthy pet is not on the menu - the birds overhead are after roadkill.