Turkey vultures are a regular site at the arboretum. They can be seen slowly soaring along the river corridor or catching updrafts and circling the hillsides as they search for recently dead animals.
Turkey vultures are skilled soarers. They have a long, broad wings that are raised slightly upwards forming an open V-shape. They have a distinctive flight pattern—they constantly teeter from side to side adjusting to air currents. Using their sense of sight and smell, they like to fly low over the landscape as they search for food.
Turkey vultures are beautiful, mysterious creatures. They will soon be drifting south, as they don’t spend the winter here. I always look forward to their return as spring approaches.
