183 
325. Turkey Vulture (Including the Northern Turkey Vulture), turkey buzzard. 
Cathartes aura. L, 30. All dark, very nearly black, with head and neck naked or, in 
juveniles, covered with Bparse, greyish brown, fur-like down. 
Distinctions. Large size, all dark coloration, hooked beak with long extensive cere, 
naked or downy head coloured red in the adult (Figure 30, page 28), ana weak, chicken- 
like rather than raptorial, claws mark it plainly as a Vulture. The Turkey Vulture is the 
only one likely to be seen in Canada. There is a record of the California Condor in southern 
British Columbia, but it seems to have an uncertain basi 
Field Marks. A large black bird next in size to the Eagles (Figure 201 — 1), usually seen 
sweeping around in great circles or soaring on motionless wings high in the air. Seen 
from below the forepart of the wings and body is coal black and the flight feathers a 
shade or so lighter (Figure 203). Often the bare, red head and neck are seen as a flash of 
colour, making determination certain. 
Figure 203 
Turkey Vulture; scale, Jq. 
Appearance in flight. 
Nesting. On the ground, usually in a hollow log, or under an upturned stump. 
Distribution. From along the southern border of Canada, north to Duck moun- 
tains in Manitoba, near Edmonton in Alberta, and Fraser river in British Columbia; 
south to Mexico. 
SUBSPECIES. The North American form is the Northern Turkey Vulture Cathartes 
aura septentrionalis. 
Economic Status. Being a carrion feeder no harm can be charged 
against the species and after winters that have been unusually severe on 
the cattle of the plains, they perform valuable services as scavengers of 
dead animals. 
SUBORDER— FALCONES. DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY 
General Description. Bill strongly hooked from the base (Figure 33, page 28), where it 
is covered with a swollen cere or mass of yellow, waxy-looking tissue in which the nostrils 
appear. This tissue is distinctly softer than the bill proper and usually yellow in colour. 
The feet are powerful and furnished with strong claws or talons for capturing and holding 
living prey (Figure 31, page 28). 
Distinctions. The members of this suborder differ from the Vultures in having the 
bill shorter and more strongly hooked and the head feathered instead of bare (compare 
Figure 33 with 30, page 28); and from the next suborder, the Owls, in lacking distinct facial 
disks (Figure 34, page 29) about the eyes. The tarsus is usually bare and the toes are never 
feathered. 
These are the birds generally recognized as the Hawks nd the Eagles. 
They are represented in Canada by three families: Accipitridae , the common 
Buzzard Hawks and Eagles; Falconidae, the true Falcons and Caracaras; 
and Pandionidae, the Ospreys or Fish Hawks. 
