TURKEY BUZZARD; TURKEY VULTURE 



Turkey Vulture is a somewhat lighter-colored 

 bird and has a large obliquely limited gray area 

 on the under surface of the wings which are pro- 

 portionately longer and narrower than in the 

 present species and have a noticeable bend. 



3. Cathartes aura aura (Linnaeus) 

 Turkey Buzzard ; Turkey Vulture 



Sexes alike. Length about 760 mm. (30.00 

 in.); tail about 280 mm. (n.oo in.). Plumage 

 brownish black, the head unfeathered and cov- 

 ered with rough red skin ; under surface of wings 

 with a large, obliquely bordered gray area. Bill 

 whitish; feet flesh-colored. 



This is a longer-tailed, narrower-winged bird 

 than the Black Vulture (see note on that species) . 

 Extremely common throughout the Canal Zone, 

 a few being usually in sight in the sky anywhere 

 and at any time during daylight. Numbers 

 may usually be seen over Ancon Hill, circling 

 and soaring and flying before the wind. On 

 sunny afternoons several would sit for long 

 periods with wings extended on a large tree near 

 our house. A Troupial I had in captivity in a 

 cage on the porch was terrified every time one 

 of these odious birds flew by, and, uttering a cry 

 of fright, took refuge under the upturned corner 

 of a zinc pan in the bottom of the cage. On one 

 occasion, I saw a Summer Tanager hide in a 

 scarlet-flowered hibiscus hedge when one lit 

 nearby, although I never saw a buzzard attack 

 or molest a bird. 



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