California Condor, NPS archive
Some will agree that bald is beautiful. For vultures it makes sense as they eat carrion, dead stuff.
Turkey Vulture
Here at Grand Canyon National Park Turkey Vultures are seen soaring on the canyon thermals all the time. Yet because we also have California Condors (old world vultures) here visitors often think, or wish, that’s what they see.
California Condor, NPS archive
Although both birds are bald the condor has a black ruff of feathers around the neck, sort of like a black feather boa. Condors have a 9.5 foot wingspan while vultures measure 6.5 feet. They are noticeably different in flight when seen from below. The colors are different on the underside leading edge of the wings, which I call the armpit; condors show white and vultures show black with light silvery feathers behind. Also, vulture’s wings are held in a V-shape as they rock back and forth to steer and condor’s wings are straight out with the only motion being the tips of the primary feathers.
Some will agree that bald is beautiful. For vultures it makes sense as they eat carrion, dead stuff.
Turkey Vulture
Here at Grand Canyon National Park Turkey Vultures are seen soaring on the canyon thermals all the time. Yet because we also have California Condors (old world vultures) here visitors often think, or wish, that’s what they see.
California Condor, NPS archive
Although both birds are bald the condor has a black ruff of feathers around the neck, sort of like a black feather boa. Condors have a 9.5 foot wingspan while vultures measure 6.5 feet. They are noticeably different in flight when seen from below. The colors are different on the underside leading edge of the wings, which I call the armpit; condors show white and vultures show black with light silvery feathers behind. Also, vulture’s wings are held in a V-shape as they rock back and forth to steer and condor’s wings are straight out with the only motion being the tips of the primary feathers.
Both birds have a special place in the web of the natural world. Check out Silver Fox at Looking for Detachment where I found out about International Vulture Awareness Day. Or click the logo for even more.
Hi Gaelyn, thanks for making us aware of the vulnerability of these raptors.
Beautiful pictures! It's funny– I only know turkey vultures from my daughter's "Nature's Yucky" book, which explains how they poop on their legs to keep cool. You did them a little more justice here!
Gaelyn: Even a vulture has its day. I love to see the Turkey Vulture on wing.
I saw the condors flying at twilight when I visited the S Rim a year ago. I tried taking a video, but it didn't get very good. If you see them, Gaelyn, take a video for us. The wingspan is awesome, and I like the way they ride the thermals.
We have plenty of vultures here in FL….and very little road kill left laying around. Definately a necessity.
http://www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com
Such ugly birds but so necessary in nature. Those Condor's are huge. One wonders how they fly.
That's a face only a mother could love!
Joan, these huge birds only weigh in about 23 pounds.
Thanks for the ID tips. Very interesting IVAD post.
I love your writing. And your lifestyle! Something I would love to do. 🙂
Lovely post about these underappreciated birds. Interesting to see how turkey vultures compare/differ from condors.
Interesting to learn the differences between the 2 birds. I'll have to review this next time we're going to the Grand Canyon so I'll be able to tell which is which if I happen to see either one.
They're such neat birds! I'm glad through the efforts of so many people that we all have the chance to see California condors again too (another good reason to visit the Grand Canyon, right?)
Beautifully caught, Gaelyn. The wings of both birds are awesome!
They might not be much in the looks department, but they serve their purpose and damn but they're beautiful in flight.
Neat post. I see why people might get them mixed up if they don't have many sighting facts. I doubt i would know….
Very interesting.I think I'd like to see a condor fly with almost no wing motion. It amazes me how the vultures just rock and almost never flap their wings.