DESCRIPTIONS OF IOWA BIRDS OF PREY 



Order RAPTORES. Birds of Prey. 



Suborder Sarcorhamphi. American Vultures. 



Family CATHARTIDAE. American Vultures. 



Genus Cathartes Illiger. 



1. CATHARTES AURA SEPTENTRIONALIS. Wied. 325, 

 Turkey Vulture. Turkey Buzzard. Buzzard. 



Field Characters. A large blackish bird with bare reddish head 

 and neck; usually seen sailing with motionless wings, or gathered 

 about some carcass on the ground. 



Pig-. 14. The Turkey Vulture. 



Description. Adult: Both sexes with feathers everywhere glossy 

 blackish, more or less brown edged, especially on the upper surface 

 of wings. Head and neck naked, skin red ; bill red at base. 



Immature: With brownish "fur-like" feathers on head. Nest- 

 lings covered with white down. 



