Our Vulture

Turkey Vulture: Cathartes aura

DOB: 2023   Sex: Female (?)   Weight:62oz   Wingspan: 5ft

This vulture (sex uncertain, but suspected female based on weight) and a sibling arrived at the Auburn University Raptor Center in July 2023.  Both vultures had just reached full size and flight ability, but had been raised by a woman in her bathtub for almost their entire lives and were imprinted to humans.  Apparently, the woman was delivered the two babies as nestlings. Turkey vultures are cavity nesters, and occasionally nests are discovered  in barns, abandoned vehicles and places that leave them very vulnerable to human disturbance. Our newest raptor, as of April 2024, and we are gradually acclimating her to new surroundings.