CREATURE FEATURE: Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura)

You’ve probably seen them circling above the valley, wings held in a shallow V, wobbling a bit as they ride the thermals. Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), nature’s quiet custodians, are often misunderstood or overlooked, but they play a vital role in the ecosystem. By removing carrion before it can spread disease, they recycle nutrients back into the land and keep the whole system in balance.

With their featherless red heads and impressive six-foot wingspans, these graceful gliders are scavengers, drawn not by movement but by scent. Unlike most birds, which rely heavily on vision to hunt or forage, turkey vultures are guided by invisible trails of scent rising from the hillsides, riverbeds, and roads below. Their nostrils are perforated, open slits that allow air to flow straight through. There is no sniffing involved, just steady airflow while they glide. That constant breeze across their beak gives them one of the strongest senses of smell in the bird world, making them incredibly efficient at locating what’s been left behind.

Their role mirrors that of their rarer cousin, the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus). While condors are larger and federally protected, they share similar behaviors and face overlapping threats like lead poisoning, often from animals that were shot and left behind. Even though turkey vultures are more adaptable and widespread, they’re still at risk. On nearby public lands where hunting is permitted, such as Los Padres National Forest, switching to copper ammunition is a simple step that helps protect all scavengers, from condors to the vultures we see overhead every day.

So next time you spot one drifting in circles, take a second look. That bird isn’t just coasting. It’s doing the dirty work that keeps this place clean. You won’t hear much from them aside from the occasional hiss or grunt, but their presence speaks volumes. These aerial recyclers remind us that every species has a role, and every piece of the puzzle matters.

To learn more about wildlife species that call the Ojai Valley home, visit our website at ovlc.org/wildlife.

Caden Crawford, Restoration Field Crew