Blackish with pale
legs. Head and neck reddish devoid of feathers. Both sexes are the same color,
the female slightly larger. It has a height between 70 and 80 cm.with a wingspan of
1.75 meters on average. In flight is distinguished by the whitishventral shirts in
sharp contrast to the black underwing coverts of.
It feeds on carrion. Frequents open habitats from high mountains to seashores.
In our country there are three races.
TURKEY
VULTURE: Cathartes aura
ruficollis
Inhabit the provinces of northeastern Argentina (Misiones,
Corrientes, Formosa, Chaco, Entre Ríos and
Santa Fe). Something smaller. Black with light brown on edges and
secondary wing coverts. Red Head with bluish white to yellowish
streaks on the posterior neck and neck, white patches on crown and
face.
TURKEY
VULTURE: Cathartes aura
jota
Inhabits the Andes of Argentina
and the Patagonian steppe. C.a.ruficollis like.
Bright red head. Only with white on the neck and back of the neck (no
spots on face).
Brown edges less noticeable. Make altitudinal movements..
TURKEY VULTURE: Cathartes aura
falklandicus
In slightly larger and more brown coloration with
slight ridges in
and secondary wing coverts. No white spots on the head.
In our country it is found only in Tierra del Fuego and the
Falkland Islands.
