Black Vultures have much shorter tails, ending at the toe tips, and they hold their wings nearly flat, unlike a Turkey Vulture’s V-shaped posture. Black Vultures have whitish outer primaries that form a white star near the wingtip, and the rest of the wing is jet black, not two-toned like Turkey Vultures. Red-tailed Hawks are so common over the range of the Turkey Vulture that you are bound to occasionally confuse the two when you see them at distance. Red-tailed Hawks are usually pale below, with shorter tails and shorter, broader wings that they hold flat as they soar. Bald Eagles can have a similar motley dark upperwing and back pattern, but they have feathers on the head, soar steadily on flat wings, and lack the clean, two-toned underwing. Golden Eagles raise their wings slightly in flight, but are larger and do not teeter or wobble as they soar; they also lack the two-toned underwing. Zone-tailed Hawks of the southwestern U.S. are similarly shaped and fly with a similar style, but they have light bands in the tail, a larger, fully feathered head, and bright-yellow feet.
Turkey Vultures are accustomed to living near humans and snacking off of our leavings. You will often see them in farm fields or hanging out next to the road. However, they are not likely to be in your backyard unless something has died or else you have a very large backyard.
Find This Bird
The most common time to see a Turkey Vulture is while driving, so look along the sides of highways and in the sky over open countryside. When hiking or traveling in hilly or mountainous areas, keep your eyes peeled for vultures. Sudden changes in topography allow for updrafts that the birds use to carry them into the sky.