Turkey Vultures March Migration to Northern Illinois

Turkey Vultures roost in their favorite tree, Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 4/9/2011.

The first Turkey Vultures (Above) began to return to Rock Cut State Park in late March, and by April I can almost gaurantee that one could spot at least one (but many times a flock of 6-10) sitting in their favorite group of trees in one of the picnic areas on the southeast side of Pierce Lake. They like to sit high in branches near the top of tall trees and periodically cruise in circles looking for the oppurtunistic carrion that might be left somewhere. They are fairly common and easy to spot with their hulking dark brown body (26" long with a wingspan of almost 6 feet) and bony naked red head. Their bills hook down into a whitish curved point (Below) - which is good for carving or gnawing flesh off of the carcass.

A good look at a Turkey Vulture's bony red head and hooked bill,
Rock Cut State Park; 4/9/2011.

When they are soaring in the sky, you can differentiate them from most other raptors by the way they hold their wings up into a V-position, instead of spread flat like a hawk, falcon or eagle.

A Turkey Vulture cruising the sky searching for a cheap meal, Rock Cut State Park; 4/9/2011.

This Turkey Vulture glided right over the top of me while I was hiking through
the prairie section of Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve. I liked how its left
 wing glowed in the late afternoon sun, Rockford, IL; 4/11/2011.

During the summer months, Turkey Vultures can be found basically throughout the entire U.S. and Mexico as well as into the southern portions of Canada. During Winter they will pretty much migrate into the southeast corner of the U.S. and along the California Pacific Coastline and into Mexico and Central America.

A Turkey Vulture eyeing a picnic at Rock Cut State Park, Il; 4/9/2011.

This Turkey Vulture (Above) was staring at a young couple sunning on a blanket in a picnic area at Rock Cut State Park. Every few minutes, it would take off flying and slowly circle the couple, then perch on the same branch above them. I jokingly asked the coule if they were alive because vultures were circling overhead. They replied that after a while they were feeling a bit nervous, because it started with just the one and soon a half dozen other vultures joined it - all perched in the tree above where the couple was lying. Perhaps the vultures thought that the couple lying on the ground for such a long time was on the verge of dying and they were waiting for their meal to expire.  Ah, yes... good times at Rock Cut State Park.