Turkey vultures can have an almost 6-foot wingspan. Anza Valley Outlook/Jesse Hernandez photo
With their bald red heads and dark wings, turkey vultures may evoke scenes from old Westerns, circling above the dying and doomed. But despite their ominous reputation, these scavengers are vital to the ecosystem and far more fascinating than fearsome.Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) - a name meaning "cleansing breeze" in Latin - play a crucial role as nature’s cleanup crew. They feed exclusively on carrion, locating meals using keen eyesight and an extraordinary sense of smell. Able to detect gases like mercaptan released during decay, they often soar low to the ground while searching for food.Their featherless heads aren’t just for show - they help keep the birds clean while feeding on rotting flesh.Despite their large size, with wingspans of up to 6 feet, turkey vultures
