The turkey vulture is actually a very interesting bird, part of nature's sanitation squad. To me that is another amazing part of the balance of nature, the wisdom of which is yet to be humbly recognized by many. The vulture looks for its food while soaring over open or partly wooded country, watching the ground and also other scavengers who may be around. Something that few of us have known is that, unlike other birds. turkey vultures have a well-developed sense of smell and they can locate carrion by odor.

This and other information about the vulture can be found at: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/turkey-vulture

I had an interesting experience with a turkey vulture at one time while I was at the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area. As I climbed the steps to an observation deck, I noticed the vulture soaring overhead. While I stood on the deck, the vulture began to descend and then landed below the deck. I was surprised and watched it for a moment. Then I said to the vulture, “Hey, you can't land here! I am not dead yet!” It wandered around a bit and then flew off. I guess I had it convinced. LOL