May 2, 2025 • 40 mins
Join us for a deep dive into the fascinating world of the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura). Discover how these widespread scavengers across the Americas use their incredible sense of smell and soaring ability to find food, and learn about their crucial ecological role in keeping ecosystems clean and preventing disease.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to the deep dive. We dig into our sources to pull
out the really fascinating bits so you don't have to spend hours
reading. We bring the key knowledge right
here. And today we're looking into a
bird that, while you've probablyseen it dozens of times, maybe
without even thinking much aboutit, the Turkey vulture cathartes
aura. Immediately striking is just how
(00:22):
far they spread out. We're talking southern Canada
all the way down to Tierra del Fuego.
It's incredible. It really is.
That huge distribution immediately tells you something
about their adaptability, right?OHS And that's what we want to
unpack today. Exactly.
Our mission, if you like, for this deep dive is to get to the
heart of the Turkey Vultures life.
Where does it live, how does it survive?
(00:43):
And, crucially, what's its role out there?
Yeah, we've gone through the information, the studies to
understand, you know, the fundamentals, their habitats to
their ecological job. And trust me, there are some
genuinely surprising facts aboutthis often well underappreciated
bird. I'm looking forward to those aha
moments. OK, let's kick things off with
their location. Where exactly can you find these
(01:06):
birds across the Americas? Lay out the map for us.
Well, like you said, the sheer scale is impressive.
Southern Canada down to the tip of South America.
It makes them one of the most probably the most widespread
vulture species in the Western there.
Wow, that is a huge territory. Can you break that down a bit
more regionally? Like where are they most common?
(01:27):
Sure. So North America, you'll find
them pretty much throughout the US and into southern Canada,
especially during the breeding season.
They're particularly abundant inthe eastern and central US.
Then breeding season, OK, but you mentioned migration earlier?
That's key for the northern birds.
Many of those North American populations, they migrate.
Following the warmth, I guess, chasing food.
(01:48):
Pretty much, yeah. When fall hits, say September
through November, they head South, escaping the cold,
finding food. They'll go to the southern US,
Mexico, Central America. And then they come back.
North, Yep. In the spring, usually March to
May, they return to those northern breeding grounds.
Makes sense. It's all about resources and
climate. What about further South,
Central and South America? Do they migrate to?
(02:11):
Generally, no. Down there, the Turkey vultures
are mostly resident. They stick around all year.
They don't need to make those long seasonal trips.
OK. So year round populations in the
warmer zones and the Caribbean, are they on the islands?
They are, yeah. You can find them on islands
like Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, but their presence there can be
a bit more sporadic. Probably depends on food and
(02:33):
finding the right spots to live.So this massive range obviously
means they're not too picky about where they live.
What kinds of habitats do they actually prefer?
You've nailed it. Their adaptability is just,
well, remarkable. They mostly like open and semi
open areas, but that covers a lot of ground ecologically
speaking. OK, give us some examples.
What is open and semi open actually mean for a Turkey
(02:53):
vulture? Think open Woodlands.
The edges were forests. Meet grasslands.
Also big open grasslands themselves and shrublands,
places where they can see well, spot things.
Right visibility for finding food?
What about drier areas? Deserts too, yeah, even semi
arid regions like the Sonoran orMojave.
Those places often have great thermals which helps their
(03:15):
flight style. We'll get more into.
That woods, grasslands, deserts,anywhere.
Else agricultural areas are common spots.
Farming unfortunately sometimes means dead animals.
They're also found along coastlines scavenging on
whatever washes U, and sometimes, though less often,
they adapt to suburban or even urban fringes if there's food
(03:38):
and maybe some nearby natural space.
Sounds like a real ecological generalist habitat wise.
That's a good way to put it. That versatility is a huge part
of why they're doing so well across such a massive area.
OK. Let's circle back to that
migration you mentioned for the northern birds.
It's really driving it. And how do they manage those
well potentially very long flights?
Right, so the why is pretty clear.
(03:59):
Food becomes scarce up north in winter and it gets cold.
They need to find reliable food sources elsewhere.
The how is fascinating. It involves those thermals you
mentioned, the rising air. Exactly.
They are absolute masters of using thermals.
These invisible columns of warm rising air act like elevators in
the sky. They can glide for huge
distances on these currents, barely flapping their wings.
(04:22):
Super energy efficient then. Immensely efficient.
Think about flying thousands of kilometers.
You need to save energy. That's why those northern
populations undertake these big trips in fall and spring, while
the southern resident birds don't face the same pressures.
It's all about conserving energyfor survival.
Makes sense. Has their range always been this
(04:42):
big or have things changed over time?
There have definitely been changes.
Historically, Turkey vultures were found mainly in the warmer
parts of the Americas, you know,more temperate tropical zones.
That was their original heartland.
But now they're breeding in Canada, as you said, so they've
pushed north. Significantly so.
In recent decades, we've seen a really noticeable northward
(05:02):
expansion, especially in North America.
It's not just a few stragglers. These are established breeding
populations much farther north than before.
What's behind that push? Why are they moving north?
It's likely a combination of things.
Climate change is a big factor. Milder winters make northern
areas more habitable year round,or at least during breeding
season. Changes in land use might also
(05:23):
be creating more of that open habitat they like.
Anything else? And importantly, less
persecution from humans. Plus, protective laws like the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act have probably helped their numbers
grow and expand into new areas without being shot or poisoned
as much. That's actually encouraging.
So where exactly are we seeing this expansion?
(05:44):
How far north? Well, they're pushing deeper
into southern Canada. We're seeing breeding
populations now in places like British Columbia, Ontario,
Quebec, both east and West coasts.
And within the US, they're common across the Lower 48, but
people even report seeing them in Alaska during the summer.
Alaska, that really highlights the trend.
What about down South, Central and South America?
(06:06):
Is there range changing there too?
Down there, things seem more stable.
Their range is still widespread,covering a huge variety of
habitats. It shows their adaptability
isn't just about moving N, it's also about thriving where
they've always been. OK.
So the big picture is resilience, adaptability and
definitely a northward range expansion.
Amazing. So they can live almost
(06:27):
anywhere? What about their physical tools?
What adaptations make them such successful survivors?
Ah, they have a fantastic set oftools, really physical
adaptations, perfectly honed forscavenging.
I always figured their eyesight must be incredible, spotting
things from way up high. They do have good eyesight, yes,
but that's not their superpower.Their most amazing adaptation
(06:47):
for finding food is actually their sense of smell.
It's exceptionally good. Smell, really.
For a bird, that seems unusual. It is very unusual.
For most birds, they can detect the smell of ethyl mercaptan.
That's a gas produced early on when an animal starts
decomposing, and they could smell it from quite far away,
maybe even several kilometers. Wow, so they can sniff out a
(07:08):
meal even if it's hidden under trees or something?
Exactly, big advantage, especially in forests or dense
vegetation where just looking wouldn't work as well.
Incredible. OK sense of smell is key.
What other physical traits help them out?
Well, their wingspan is impressive, around 1.8 meters on
average. Combined with a relatively light
body, this makes them fantastic sores.
(07:30):
They ride those thermals excellently, covering huge areas
looking for food without burningmuch energy.
Look at their wing tips. Those long primary feathers
spread out like fingers helps with stability and lift.
Efficient flight, definitely important when your next meal
could be anywhere. And the bald head that's their
signature look isn't. It it is, and it's highly
functional. Think about sticking your head
(07:51):
inside a carcass. Having feathers there would be,
well, messy and unhygienic. The bare skin is much easier to
keep clean, reducing the risk ofinfections.
Makes perfect sense. Practical.
And there's another benefit. The dark skin absorbs sunlight
efficiently, which helps them warm up.
Actually, on cool mornings it aids thermal regulation.
Clever. Any other adaptations for
(08:11):
dealing with, you know, potentially nasty food?
Ohe yes, their digestive systemslike a biological incinerator.
Extremely strong stomach acids that neutralize most of the
harmful bacteria and pathogens found in rotting meat.
They can eat stuff that would make other animals incredibly
sick. Natures hazmat team.
You mentioned thermoregulation. How else do they handle heat and
(08:32):
cold? That bald head helps absorb
heat, but what about cooling down?
Of a rather unique method calledEuro hydrosis.
Or what? Euro hydrosis.
They essentially excrete liquid waste onto their legs.
They poop on their. Legs.
Basically yes. As it evaporates it cools the
blood circulating through their legs, acting like evaporative
cooling. It sounds gross, but it works.
(08:55):
Wow. OK, that's effective I guess.
Anything else for temperature control?
Well, they're dark plumage helpsabsorb heat, as we said, and
that soaring flight itself minimizes exertion so they don't
overheat as easily from flapping.
Plus they have a very efficient respiratory system like most
birds, delivering plenty of oxygen for flight without
overworking. OK so from super smell to
(09:17):
efficient flight and even leg cooling, they're really built
for the job. Do they change appearance much,
say between seasons or as they age?
Not really seasonally. Unlike some birds with distinct
summer and winter outfits, Turkey vultures look pretty much
the same year round. They molt, but it's gradual, not
a dramatic change. The big differences between
(09:37):
young birds and adults. Huh.
OK, how can you tell a youngsterfrom a grown up?
The head is the giveaway. Juvenile Turkey vultures have a
darker head, kind of grayish or blackish, and it's covered in
fuzzy down. Adults have that iconic bright
red bare skin head. So Gray fuzzy head means young,
red bear head means adult. Simple enough.
(09:58):
Any difference in feathers? Yeah, the youngsters body
feathers tend to look a bit darker, more uniform brown.
Black adults often show a bit more contrast, especially with
those silvery Gray flight feathers you see on the
underside of the wings. And they're soaring.
Got it. And you mentioned slight
regional differences earlier subspecies.
Right, there are about 5 recognized subspecies across
their vast range. They have subtle variations in
(10:21):
size and maybe slight colour tone differences.
For instance, the ones out West tend to be a little larger and
may be paler than the eastern ones.
Adaptations to local conditions.Interesting, those subtle tweaks
for different environments. Now we talked about the head
helping with heat absorption. What other tricks do they have
for managing body temperature? You mentioned Euro hydrosis for
(10:43):
cooling. Right, that's a key one for
heat. But they also use behavior.
Soaring itself helps. Less flapping means less body
heat generated. Makes sense.
They're feathers too dark to absorb sun when it's cool, but
if they get hot they can actually spread their wings out
while perched, letting air circulate underneath to cool.
Off so that wings out pose isn'tjust for drawing feathers.
(11:03):
It's called sunning and it does multiple things.
Warming up, drawing feathers after rain or dew, maybe even
helping Bake Off parasites like lice.
But yeah, also cooling if needed.
Multi-purpose pose? What about when it's?
Cold. Then they'll do the opposite.
Tuck their head in, fluff up their feathers to trap air,
maybe stand on one leg to reduceheat loss.
(11:24):
And roosting together helps. Huddling conserves body heat.
They also have a relatively low metabolic rate, which helps save
energy overall. They seem really well equipped
for a wide range of temperatures.
OK quick question. If you see 2 Turkey vultures
together, can you tell which is the male and which is the
female? That's the tricky part.
Visually almost impossible. They show very little sexual
(11:47):
dimorphism. Meaning males and females look.
Alike exactly. Same large dark body, same small
featherless redhead. In adults, similar wingspan,
usually around 1.6 and 1.8 meters.
Plumage is identical to that dark brown black, the silvery
undersides of the flight. Feathers, so you really can't
tell them apart just by looking.It's common in many vultures
(12:09):
since both parents share the work finding food, raising
young, there hasn't been evolutionary pressure for them
to look different. Makes field identification of
sex is very difficult. Interesting how roles shape
appearance or lack of differencein this case.
You mentioned 5 subspecies earlier.
Can you just briefly run throughthem and what makes them
distinct? Sure.
You've got Cathartes Ora Ora in the east, US&S, Canada,
(12:31):
relatively large, CA Septentrionalis out West in the
US and Canada, similar size, adapted to that climate.
C Meridian Ellis and the SWS down into Central America.
Generally a bit smaller, suited to warmer areas.
In South America. From Columbia down to northern
Argentina noted for a more reddish head and neck and Cho
(12:53):
dude in the very S Chile and Argentina, which is larger again
adapted to cooler conditions down there.
So subtle but real variations fitting them to different parts
of that huge range, all sharing that keen smell and soaring
ability. Though absolutely, those are the
core traits. OK, let's shift gears now to
behavior. How do these birds interact?
How do they communicate, especially if they don't really
(13:13):
sing? Right, their communication is
quite different from songbirds. They lack see rings, the voice
box most birds have, so no complex songs.
Their vocabulary is mostly simple hisses, some grunts,
maybe low growls. When would you hear those
sounds? Usually when they're feeling
threatened or maybe squabbling abit at a carcass or a crowded
roost. Distress calls, maybe mild
(13:35):
aggression, Nothing too elaborate.
So not very chatty, but they aresocial sometimes right?
You mentioned communal roosting.Very much so.
They often gather in large groups to roost overnight or
during bad weather, sometimes dozens, even hundreds of birds
together. They pick secluded spots, tall
trees, cliffs, even abandoned buildings, especially common
(13:57):
outside the breeding season. What's the advantage of roosting
together like that? Safety in numbers.
That's definitely part of it, more eyes looking out for
danger. It's also thought to be an
Information Centre. If one bird found a good food
source, others might follow it the next day.
And on cold nights, huddling together helps everyone stay
warmer. Practical benefits Safe,
(14:17):
informed and warm. What about when they're out
looking for food? Are they solitary them?
Mostly, yeah. They usually forage alone, or
maybe in small, loose groups. That incredible sense of smell
is their primary tool. But once one vulture finds a
carcass, its presence, maybe itscircling flight, often attracts
others. That's when you get those
(14:37):
feeding aggregations. And I guess things can get a bit
competitive at the dinner table.A little bit.
Sometimes you might see some posturing, spreading wings,
standing tall, trying to get thebest bits.
But they generally avoid seriousfights.
Often they'll defer to bigger scavengers if they show up, like
black vultures, or maybe eagles or coyotes.
Energy conservation seems key. Always comes back to saving
(15:00):
energy. I've seen huge groups spiraling
way up high. What's that about?
Is that social? Ah, it's called kettling.
It's an amazing sight. It's basically a group of
vultures using the same thermal updraft to gain altitude really
efficiently. They spiral upwards together in
that rising column of air. It's not necessarily social
interaction, but it's a collective way to travel,
(15:21):
especially during migration, covering ground with minimal
flapping. So even if they're not talking
much, they use group behavior strategically.
Are there other ways they signalthings without making noise?
Definitely. That's stunning posture.
We talked about wings spread wide.
That's visual signal. Besides thermal regulation and
drawing, it might signal presence or status to other
(15:42):
vultures. Like saying I'm here and I'm
doing OK. Perhaps something like that and
simply soaring and circling can act as an unintentional signal.
If you see several vultures circling one spot, others will
investigate, assuming there's food.
Body posture matters too. A hunched look with wings
slightly open might mean I feel threatened.
(16:03):
So reading the body language is important for them.
Now lots of birds defend territories.
Do Turkey vultures do that? Stake out a patch.
Generally, no. That's another interesting thing
about them. They're not really territorial
in the typical bird sense. They don't defend a specific
feeding area or roosting zone aggressively.
That fits with the communal roosting and feeding, doesn't
it? It does.
(16:24):
Their food source carrion is unpredictable.
It pops up randomly over large. There he is.
Defending a fixed territory wouldn't make much sense
energetically. They need to roam widely, so
they tend to tolerate each otherand other scavengers relatively
well at feeding sites. Did more about finding the
unpredictable resource than owning a patch of land.
Exactly. You might see minor squabbles, a
(16:45):
bit of jostling or posturing over a carcass, but not
prolonged serious fights to exclude others.
Their whole lifestyle leans towards being non territorial
and somewhat communal. It seems their social system is
really shaped by being scavengers.
Does their behavior change much depending on where they live?
Different habitats? Different regions.
Yeah, you do see some variations.
(17:06):
Migration is the obvious 1 northern birds travel southern
one, stay put. That's a huge behavioral
difference driven by climate andfood.
Makes sense? What about foraging?
That can vary too. Near reliable food sources like
say highways with roadkill or farms, they might not have to
travel as far each day. In more remote areas, they'd
likely cover much larger distances searching.
(17:28):
And their social life boosting. Roost size and location can
depend on what's available. Big trees and forests, Cliffs
and open country, maybe old barns.
They adapt. How much they rely on thermals
might also vary. Open planes are great for
thermals. Mountains or forests might offer
different kinds of updrafts or require different search
strategies. And who they compete with at
(17:50):
carcasses depends on what other scavengers are around them.
Black vultures, for example, canbe more aggressive competitors
in some areas. So, a flexible behavioral
toolkit built on a core set of adaptations.
What does a typical day look like for a Turkey vulture?
Walk us through their routine. OK, well, they're diurnal,
active during the day. Mornings often start slow.
(18:12):
They'll be at the communal roost, maybe doing that sunning
thing to warm up after cool night and dry off any due.
Being fueled up by the sun, right?
Then as the ground heats up and thermals start forming, usually
midmorning onwards, that's when they take flight.
We'll spend a good chunk of the day into the afternoon soaring
and circling, using those thermals and their amazing sense
of smell to scan for carrying over large areas.
(18:34):
The main work hours. Pretty much.
Then as the day cools down in the late afternoon or evening,
thermal activity dies down and they'll head back towards their
roof sites, maybe do some preening, interact a bit with
others, and then settle in for the night.
And that changes with season. Yeah, in colder weather they
might start later in the morningwaiting for things to warm up.
And during migration, obviously the focus is less on local
(18:57):
foraging and more on covering distance, so they'll be using
thermals to travel. A daily rhythm tuned perfectly
to the sun, the air currents andthe search for food.
OK, we know where they live, what they look like, how they
behave. Let's talk about the next
generation reproduction. When do Turkey vultures start
thinking about breeding? Their breeding season timing
(19:19):
really depends on where they are.
Latitude and local climate are the big factors.
Generally it's spring, but spring arrives at different
times. So earlier down South, later up
north. Exactly.
Up in the northern parts of their range, say Canada and the
northern US, they typically get started around March and
continue into June. That lines up with warmer
weather returning and more food becoming available after winter.
(19:41):
And further South. In the southern US, Mexico,
Central and South America, they might start earlier, maybe even
February, and the season can stretch longer into the summer.
In really tropical areas, the timing might be even more
flexible, linked more to local wet or dry seasons than just
temperature. The main thing is timing it so
conditions are good for raising checks.
(20:02):
Makes sense. Maximize the chances for the
young. OK, walk us through the key
stages from egg to adult vulture.
It starts with the egg stage obviously, but interestingly
they don't build nests. Like many words, no twigs and
leaves woven together. Really.
Where do they lay the eggs then?They find sheltered spots,
caves, rock crevices, hollow logs, thickets, even abandoned
(20:26):
buildings or sheds. They just lay the eggs directly
on the ground or debris in that shoulder location.
Usually one to three eggs, typically 2.
They're creamy white with some brown or lavender spots.
OK, no nest building. Who sits on the eggs?
Both parents share incubation duties.
They take turns keeping the eggswarm for about 30 to 40 days.
From the start? What about when the chicks
hatch? The chicks are altricial,
(20:47):
meaning they hatch blind, naked,completely helpless and
dependent on their parents. Both parents have a big job
feeding them. Absolutely.
Both parents feed the chicks by regurgitating partially digested
carrion. The chicks grow pretty fast,
developing a coat of white Dannyfeathers.
They stay in or near that rudimentary nest site for quite
(21:08):
a while, around 10:50 weeks. That's a long time in the nest
compared to some. Birds.
It is after that they entered the fledgling stage.
They start making short lights, exploring a bit, but they still
rely heavily on their parents, bringing them food.
Then comes the juvenile stage. They become more independent,
start scavenging on their own, though they might hang around
their parents for a while. You can recognize them by that
(21:30):
darker plumage and the fuzzy grayish head we talked about.
And when do they become fully adult?
They usually reach sexual maturity and get their full
adult look. The redhead the slightly more
contrasted plumage around two orthree years old.
As adults, they typically form monogamous pairs, often
returning to the same nesting areas each year, and they can
live a surprisingly long time. Up to 20 years in the wild has
(21:51):
been recorded, though 1015 mightbe more typical.
A whole journey from helpless chick to long lived adult.
How do they actually find a mate?
Are there courtship rituals? Yeah, they do have courtship
displays. 1 involves impressive aerial maneuvers.
A pair might soar together, circling each other gracefully
high in the sky. It shows off their flying skills
(22:13):
and helps form that pair bond. Flying dates, Anything.
Else they also have ground displays.
Sometimes they'll do this sort of ritualized hopping around
each other, maybe with wings partly spread.
It looks a bit awkward but seemsto reinforce the bond.
Adding to the same breeding areas year after year also helps
parents find each other again and maybe older, more
experienced birds are preferred as mates.
(22:34):
Those communal roosts also provide opportunities to meet
potential partners. So it's displays and maybe a
familiarity rather than bright colours or songs.
Do they ever mix it up with other vulture species?
Hybridize. Far as we know, no.
There's no documented evidence of Turkey vultures hybridizing
(22:54):
with other species like black vultures or condors in the wild.
Why not? Probably several reasons.
They have that unique reliance on smell which differs from some
others. They're specific behaviors,
habitat references, maybe slightdifferences in breeding timing,
and even though the range is huge, they might not overlap
with close relatives frequently enough in the right context.
(23:15):
During breeding season, they stick to their own kind.
OK, once they have paired up andhave chicks, how are they as
parents? You said both are involved.
Yes, they show strong parental care.
Both incubate. Both feed the young via
regurgitation for months, even after the chicks start flying.
That fledging period is long, 7080 days, and care continues
after they leave the nest. Site.
(23:35):
And do they protect the young? They do.
Besides choosing sheltered nest sites, they have that defence
mechanism we mentioned earlier. The projectile vomiting.
Exactly. If a predator approaches the
nest, an adult vulture might vomit a stream of foul smelling
semi digested food. It's apparently a very effective
deterrent and it lightens their load if they need to make a
(23:56):
quick escape. Definitely memorable.
Now back to those juveniles withthe Gray heads.
How else do they differ from adults behavior wise?
Well, their flight skills aren'tas polished.
You'll see juveniles practicing soaring, maybe looking a bit
less graceful than the adults. They're also still learning the
ropes of finding food less experienced scavengers, so they
might rely more on following adults to carcasses.
(24:19):
Socially they often hang out more with other young birds
initially before fully integrating into those mid stage
roosts. So a learning curve for flying,
feeding and fitting in. OK, let's dive into their diet.
We know it's carrion, but can webe more specific?
What exactly are they eating? Primarily, yes, carrying the
decaying flesh of dead animals. They are obligate scavengers,
(24:40):
meaning that's basically all they eat.
They're not picky about the source.
Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, even fish if they
find them washed up. Livestock carcasses are also
common food items in agricultural areas.
Do they have preferences like fresher versus older carcasses?
Generally, yeah, they seem to prefer fresher kills when they
have a choice, but they're perfectly capable of handling
(25:02):
stuff that's been dead for a while.
That keen sense of smell helps them find carcasses in various
stages of decay. They do occasionally nibble on
plant matter, like running pumpkins or other soft
vegetation, but it's a tiny, insignificant part of their
diet. Kerry and his King.
And this diet, it gives them that vital ecological role,
right cleaning up. Absolutely vital nutrient
(25:24):
recycling, disease reduction. It all stems from their
scavenging diet. So they're not really
controlling populations by hunting, but do they influence
other animal numbers indirectly?Indirectly, yes.
By removing carcasses quickly, they limit the spread of
diseases that could impact otherwildlife populations.
Their strong stomach acid neutralizes pathogens like
(25:45):
anthrax or Botulism, preventing those from persisting in the
environment. And by eating the carrion, they
reduced the food available for other scavengers, from insects
like blowflies to mammals like coyotes, which can influence
those populations. Plus, as we touched on, changes
in vulture numbers can signal changes in the health of the
ecosystem, like if there's suddenly less carrying available
(26:06):
or if they're being affected by toxins.
It's a subtle but important regulatory role.
Given their size. Do adult Turkey vultures have
many predators themselves? Adults, not really many natural
ones. Eagles may be great, Horned owls
might occasionally take one, especially a younger or weaker
bird, or perhaps compete aggressively at a carcass.
But generally adult quirky vultures are large and frankly
(26:28):
probably not very appealing as prey.
Their main threats are more human related.
The real vulnerability is at theegg and nestling stage.
What preys on the young? Mammals like raccoons, foxes,
maybe a possums if they can findthe nest site.
Snakes could potentially take eggs or very small chicks.
And those larger birds of prey, eagles and owls, would certainly
(26:49):
take nestlings if they got that chance.
So the young are the most at risk.
What defences do they have? Again, we mentioned the
vomiting. That's the main active defence
for adults and potentially olderchicks if threatened up close.
Soaring high is an escape tacticfrom ground predators.
Choosing hidden, inaccessible nest sites provides passive
protection, and roosting communally offers that safety
(27:11):
numbers vigilance. OK, a suite of defences.
How much does the availability of food drive their behavior and
where they live? Hugely influential, their whole
foraging strategy is built around finding unpredictable
food long distance, soaring, using smell, patrolling roads,
checking areas where animals might die, like farms.
Their daily movements reflect this.
(27:31):
They'll travel miles from a rushto find a meal.
And it shapes their overall range too.
Definitely, that seasonal migration of northern birds is
purely driven by food scarcity and cold and winter.
Their ability to live in diversehabitats, forests, deserts,
grasslands, even your cities, depends on there being enough
carrion. They avoid very dense, unbroken
(27:51):
forests where finding food by smell or sight would be too
hard, and you'll naturally find higher densities of vultures
where food is more abundant thanGary is with lots of wildlife or
agricultural regions. They really do follow the food
map. So placing them in the bigger
picture, how do they fit into the local food web?
What's their position? Their main position is as a
(28:12):
primary scavenger. They sit at the end of many food
chains, consuming organisms thathave died from other causes.
They're not typically predators themselves.
Their key function is breaking down this dead material,
returning nutrients to the soil.They're crucial sanitation,
preventing disease buildup regionally.
They interact with other scavengers, sometimes competing,
sometimes coexisting, sometimes even benefiting from others who
(28:35):
might open up a tough carcass first.
They're a critical link in the decomposition cycle.
Essential recyclers, we've talked a lot about their role.
Let's really focus on that broader ecological importance.
Why are they so vital? Summarize that for us.
OK. They're ecological role is
massive, primarily through scavenging.
They are, as you said, nature's recyclers.
They consume dead animals, breaking down organic matter and
(28:57):
speeding up the return of nutrients like nitrogen and
phosphorus back into the ecosystem for plants to use.
That's fundamental. Nutrient cycling.
Got it. What?
Else Disease Control. This is huge.
By eating carcasses quickly, they remove potential breeding
grounds for bacteria and diseasevectors.
Their digestive system neutralizes dangerous pathogens,
(29:17):
anthrax, Botulism, rabies virus potentially that could otherwise
infect other animals or even humans.
They effectively sanitize the landscape.
Ecosystem Cleanup through and public health service rolled
into one. You could say that, and they do
this across an enormous area from Canada to Argentina, in all
sorts of habitats, there are widespread beneficial presence.
(29:37):
They could also be indicator species.
Their health and numbers can tell us things about the overall
health of the environment they live.
In OK vital roles, How do they interact with other specific
groups? Animals, microbes, Plants.
With animals, it's mostly about that scavenging niche, competing
with other vultures, crows, mammals for access to carcasses.
(29:59):
Sometimes they find it first dueto smell, maybe attracting
others who can RIP open tough hides.
So there's a bit of indirect cooperation sometimes.
And, as we said, eggs and young are vulnerable to predation.
And microbes? They must have a close
relationship given their diet. A very close one.
Their gut microbiome is incredible.
It's loaded with bacteria that can break down flesh and,
crucially, tolerate or even neutralize the toxins produced
(30:22):
during decomposition. It's a unique internal ecosystem
adapted to that diet. And plants.
Any direct links? Not really direct.
They don't need plants. The connection is indirect.
By recycling nutrients from carcasses back into the soil,
they ultimately support plant growth.
Healthy scavengers contribute tohealthy soils and thus healthy
plant communities. It really is all connected.
Are there any specific examples of symbiosis or mutualism
(30:46):
involving Turkey vultures? Not in the strict sense of two
species living in direct intimate association for mutual
benefit, but you could argue there's a broader ecosystem
level mutualism. They're scavenging benefits
countless other organisms by cleaning up, preventing disease
and recycling nutrients. Other scavengers benefit when a
Turkey vulture finds food 1st, and in places like farms they
(31:08):
provide a direct service to humans by disposing of dead
livestock, which benefits the farmer and reduces potential
disease spread. So it's more about the
widespread benefits of their ecological role than a specific
one-on-one partnership. A general benefactor of the
ecosystem given their diet, Do they suffer from many diseases
or parasites themselves? They're exposed to a lot,
(31:29):
certainly bacterial infections like salmonella are a risk, but
their stomach acid handles much of it.
Viruses like West Nile can affect them, though.
They seem pretty resilient. They definitely get parasites,
external ones like lice and mites, which sunning might help
control, and internal worms. Fungal infections like
aspergillosis can occur, especially if a bird is
stressed, but overall they seem remarkably tough, likely due to
(31:52):
evolutionary adaptations to their hazardous diet.
Built tough and finally, on thisecological front, remind us of
their conservation status. Are they in trouble?
Thankfully, no. The Turkey vulture is listed as
Least Concern by the IUCN. That's the lowest risk category.
They have a huge range of very large population and overall
(32:12):
their numbers are considered stable or even increasing in
some areas, like the northward expansion discussed.
That's great news for such an important bird, O While they're
doing OK overall, they must still face some threats, right?
What are the main dangers for Turkey vultures?
Even common species face threats.
Habitat loss is 1. Clearing forests or developing
(32:32):
land reduces places for them to roost and nest safely.
Poisoning is a big concern. This could be secondary
poisoning where they eat an animal that was intentionally
poisoned, or lead poisoning fromeating carcasses containing lead
shot or bullet fragments. Ah, that lead issue again.
Yes, it's a persistent problem for many scavengers.
Collisions are another threat hitting vehicles.
(32:52):
Power lines, wind turbines, environmental contaminants,
pesticides and other chemicals can build up in their systems,
and simple human disturbance at nests or roosts can cause them
to abandon sites. Longer term climate change could
impact habitats and food availability, Maybe alter
migration timings too. So mostly human related threats
it sounds like. How specifically do things like
(33:14):
pollution or climate change hit them?
We mentioned lead. Right, lead is a major toxin
causing neurological issues. Historically pesticides like DDT
caused eggshell thinning and Raptors, though the impact on
vultures was maybe less documented than on eagles or
Pelicans. Other chemicals still pose
risks. We don't fully know the impact
of things like microplastics yet.
(33:36):
Climate change is mentioned can shift their range like the
northward movement, but it couldalso cause more extreme weather
affecting prey populations. Either increases or decreases in
carcasses or alter the timing offood availability relative to
breeding. They're comfortable, but rapid
change is always a challenge. Lots of interacting factors.
Given their Least Concern, are there any specific conservation
(33:58):
efforts aimed just at them? Not really large scale programs
focused only on Turkey vultures because they aren't currently
seen as needing that level of intervention.
However, they absolutely benefitfrom broader conservation work.
Things like protecting migratorybird habitats, reducing
pesticide use, efforts to mitigate bird collisions with
power lines or wind turbines. Laws make the Migratory Bird
(34:20):
Treaty Act in the US offer legalprotection and crucially,
campaigns to encourage hunters and anglers to switch to non
lead ammunition are really important for reducing that lead
poisoning risk for all scavengers.
So protecting the environment generally helps the vultures
too. How effective are things like
habitat restoration for them? Does protecting land make a
(34:40):
difference if they're so adaptable?
It definitely helps. While they can use varied open
habitats, preserving large undisturbed areas with suitable
nesting cliffs or mature roost trees is important.
Protecting habitats also means protecting the wildlife
populations that eventually become their food source.
Reducing human disturbance in key nesting or roost areas is
also vital. So yes, even for an adaptable
(35:02):
species, habitat protection and restoration provide essential
resources and refuge, especiallywhere human pressures are high.
OK, what about their significance to us humans,
especially in farming? You mentioned waste removal.
Yes, that's a big one. In agricultural areas, they
provide a free and efficient carcass disposal service.
Removing dead livestock quickly reduces the farmer's workload
(35:24):
and cost, and critically helps control the spread of diseases
like anthrax or brucellosis thatcould affect other livestock or
even people. So a direct economic and health
benefit to farmers. Absolutely.
They also help by removing carrion that might otherwise
attract unwanted pests, and theycontribute to soil health
through nutrient recycling. They're really unsung heroes in
(35:45):
agricultural landscapes. And stepping back again, their
role in overall ecosystem protection.
It comes back to those core functions.
Nutrient cycling keeps the wholesystem productive.
Disease Control protects wildlife and potentially human
health. They act as indicators of
environmental health. And by specializing on carrion,
they help balance the scavenger community.
(36:07):
They're a fundamental part of a functioning, healthy ecosystem.
OK, clearly ecologically vital. Let's shift to their scientific
and educational importance. How have Turkey vultures helped
us learn more about the natural world?
They've been surprisingly informative.
They're incredible sense of smell has made them a key
species for studying olfaction in birds, how birds use scent to
(36:27):
navigate and find food. Research on them helps us
understand decomposition processes and how ecosystems
naturally control disease spread.
Their ural hydrosis is a fascinating case study in
thermoregulation. Their soaring flight is studied
insights into aerodynamics and energy efficiency.
Their adaptability to human landscapes provides lessons for
conservation biology, and because they're at the top of
(36:51):
the scavenging food chain, they're useful for monitoring
levels of environmental toxins like lead or pesticides.
Quite a range of contributions. What kinds of tools do
scientists use to study? Them All sorts of GPS and
satellite trackers are fitted tobirds to map their movements,
migrations and how they use different habitats.
Bird banding Putting unique rings on their legs helps track
individual survival, lifespan and travel over many years.
(37:14):
Camera traps monitor behavior atnests or feeding sites without
disturbance. Stable isotope analysis of
feathers or blood can reveal details about their diet and
where they've been. So high tech tracking and lab
work. Yes.
Plus, traditional field observation is still vital for
understanding behavior. Genetic studies look at
population structure and relatedness across their range,
(37:36):
and citizen science platforms like eBird collect massive
amounts of data on their distribution and abundance.
Thanks to birdwatchers everywhere.
A combination of approaches. Despite all this study, what are
the big unanswered questions? What do we still need to learn
about Turkey vultures? There are still gaps.
We could understand their migration routes and the factors
influencing them in even more detail, especially with climate
(37:58):
change. The full picture of genetic
diversity across their entire continental range isn't
complete. The precise long term effects of
newer environmental contaminantsare often unknown.
What else? They're exact role in the
ecology of specific diseases needs more study.
How extensive are human vulture conflicts, say around airports
or farms, and what are the best ways to manage them and even
(38:21):
their basic communication? Those hisses and grunts could be
studied in more detail for subtle variations or meanings.
There's always more to learn. Plenty for future researchers to
investigate. All right, let's wrap this up.
We've covered a lot of ground onthe Turkey Vulture, that
incredible range and adaptability really stand out.
Absolutely. From southern Canada down to
Tierra del Fuego, living in deserts, forests, farmland, they
(38:44):
manage it all. And their physical toolkit is
just perfectly designed. The amazing sense of smell, the
efficient soaring, the bald headfor hygiene, that tough
digestive system. And their social life, while not
noisy, is interesting. The communal roosts for safety
and information, the aerial displays for courtship, it all
fits their lifestyle. And their ecological role cannot
(39:05):
be overstated. As nature's primary recyclers,
they are crucial for nutrient cycling, Disease Control,
basically keeping ecosystems clean and healthy across the
Americas. While they're doing well overall
Least Concern, we still need to be mindful of threats like lead
poisoning, habitat loss, and collisions.
General conservation helps them significantly.
And scientifically, they continue to teach us about
(39:27):
everything from bird senses to ecosystem function, a truly
valuable species both ecologically and for research.
So next time you happen to see one of those dark shapes
circling effortlessly way up high, maybe give a little nod of
appreciation. It's doing vital work.
U there? Definitely remember that even
species that might not seem glamorous play absolutely
(39:48):
essential roles in keeping our natural world working.
Indeed, thanks for joining us onthis deep dive into the world of
the Turkey Vulture. And we extend our sincere
gratitude to moonaturedocumentariesmoo.com,
owned by Karl Heinz Miller, whose resources were valuable in
preparing for this discussion.
Welcome to the deep dive. We dig into our sources to pull
out the really fascinating bits so you don't have to spend hours
reading. We bring the key knowledge right
here. And today we're looking into a
bird that, while you've probablyseen it dozens of times, maybe
without even thinking much aboutit, the Turkey vulture cathartes
aura. Immediately striking is just how
(00:22):
far they spread out. We're talking southern Canada
all the way down to Tierra del Fuego.
It's incredible. It really is.
That huge distribution immediately tells you something
about their adaptability, right?OHS And that's what we want to
unpack today. Exactly.
Our mission, if you like, for this deep dive is to get to the
heart of the Turkey Vultures life.
Where does it live, how does it survive?
(00:43):
And, crucially, what's its role out there?
Yeah, we've gone through the information, the studies to
understand, you know, the fundamentals, their habitats to
their ecological job. And trust me, there are some
genuinely surprising facts aboutthis often well underappreciated
bird. I'm looking forward to those aha
moments. OK, let's kick things off with
their location. Where exactly can you find these
(01:06):
birds across the Americas? Lay out the map for us.
Well, like you said, the sheer scale is impressive.
Southern Canada down to the tip of South America.
It makes them one of the most probably the most widespread
vulture species in the Western there.
Wow, that is a huge territory. Can you break that down a bit
more regionally? Like where are they most common?
(01:27):
Sure. So North America, you'll find
them pretty much throughout the US and into southern Canada,
especially during the breeding season.
They're particularly abundant inthe eastern and central US.
Then breeding season, OK, but you mentioned migration earlier?
That's key for the northern birds.
Many of those North American populations, they migrate.
Following the warmth, I guess, chasing food.
(01:48):
Pretty much, yeah. When fall hits, say September
through November, they head South, escaping the cold,
finding food. They'll go to the southern US,
Mexico, Central America. And then they come back.
North, Yep. In the spring, usually March to
May, they return to those northern breeding grounds.
Makes sense. It's all about resources and
climate. What about further South,
Central and South America? Do they migrate to?
(02:11):
Generally, no. Down there, the Turkey vultures
are mostly resident. They stick around all year.
They don't need to make those long seasonal trips.
OK. So year round populations in the
warmer zones and the Caribbean, are they on the islands?
They are, yeah. You can find them on islands
like Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, but their presence there can be
a bit more sporadic. Probably depends on food and
(02:33):
finding the right spots to live.So this massive range obviously
means they're not too picky about where they live.
What kinds of habitats do they actually prefer?
You've nailed it. Their adaptability is just,
well, remarkable. They mostly like open and semi
open areas, but that covers a lot of ground ecologically
speaking. OK, give us some examples.
What is open and semi open actually mean for a Turkey
(02:53):
vulture? Think open Woodlands.
The edges were forests. Meet grasslands.
Also big open grasslands themselves and shrublands,
places where they can see well, spot things.
Right visibility for finding food?
What about drier areas? Deserts too, yeah, even semi
arid regions like the Sonoran orMojave.
Those places often have great thermals which helps their
(03:15):
flight style. We'll get more into.
That woods, grasslands, deserts,anywhere.
Else agricultural areas are common spots.
Farming unfortunately sometimes means dead animals.
They're also found along coastlines scavenging on
whatever washes U, and sometimes, though less often,
they adapt to suburban or even urban fringes if there's food
(03:38):
and maybe some nearby natural space.
Sounds like a real ecological generalist habitat wise.
That's a good way to put it. That versatility is a huge part
of why they're doing so well across such a massive area.
OK. Let's circle back to that
migration you mentioned for the northern birds.
It's really driving it. And how do they manage those
well potentially very long flights?
Right, so the why is pretty clear.
(03:59):
Food becomes scarce up north in winter and it gets cold.
They need to find reliable food sources elsewhere.
The how is fascinating. It involves those thermals you
mentioned, the rising air. Exactly.
They are absolute masters of using thermals.
These invisible columns of warm rising air act like elevators in
the sky. They can glide for huge
distances on these currents, barely flapping their wings.
(04:22):
Super energy efficient then. Immensely efficient.
Think about flying thousands of kilometers.
You need to save energy. That's why those northern
populations undertake these big trips in fall and spring, while
the southern resident birds don't face the same pressures.
It's all about conserving energyfor survival.
Makes sense. Has their range always been this
(04:42):
big or have things changed over time?
There have definitely been changes.
Historically, Turkey vultures were found mainly in the warmer
parts of the Americas, you know,more temperate tropical zones.
That was their original heartland.
But now they're breeding in Canada, as you said, so they've
pushed north. Significantly so.
In recent decades, we've seen a really noticeable northward
(05:02):
expansion, especially in North America.
It's not just a few stragglers. These are established breeding
populations much farther north than before.
What's behind that push? Why are they moving north?
It's likely a combination of things.
Climate change is a big factor. Milder winters make northern
areas more habitable year round,or at least during breeding
season. Changes in land use might also
(05:23):
be creating more of that open habitat they like.
Anything else? And importantly, less
persecution from humans. Plus, protective laws like the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act have probably helped their numbers
grow and expand into new areas without being shot or poisoned
as much. That's actually encouraging.
So where exactly are we seeing this expansion?
(05:44):
How far north? Well, they're pushing deeper
into southern Canada. We're seeing breeding
populations now in places like British Columbia, Ontario,
Quebec, both east and West coasts.
And within the US, they're common across the Lower 48, but
people even report seeing them in Alaska during the summer.
Alaska, that really highlights the trend.
What about down South, Central and South America?
(06:06):
Is there range changing there too?
Down there, things seem more stable.
Their range is still widespread,covering a huge variety of
habitats. It shows their adaptability
isn't just about moving N, it's also about thriving where
they've always been. OK.
So the big picture is resilience, adaptability and
definitely a northward range expansion.
Amazing. So they can live almost
(06:27):
anywhere? What about their physical tools?
What adaptations make them such successful survivors?
Ah, they have a fantastic set oftools, really physical
adaptations, perfectly honed forscavenging.
I always figured their eyesight must be incredible, spotting
things from way up high. They do have good eyesight, yes,
but that's not their superpower.Their most amazing adaptation
(06:47):
for finding food is actually their sense of smell.
It's exceptionally good. Smell, really.
For a bird, that seems unusual. It is very unusual.
For most birds, they can detect the smell of ethyl mercaptan.
That's a gas produced early on when an animal starts
decomposing, and they could smell it from quite far away,
maybe even several kilometers. Wow, so they can sniff out a
(07:08):
meal even if it's hidden under trees or something?
Exactly, big advantage, especially in forests or dense
vegetation where just looking wouldn't work as well.
Incredible. OK sense of smell is key.
What other physical traits help them out?
Well, their wingspan is impressive, around 1.8 meters on
average. Combined with a relatively light
body, this makes them fantastic sores.
(07:30):
They ride those thermals excellently, covering huge areas
looking for food without burningmuch energy.
Look at their wing tips. Those long primary feathers
spread out like fingers helps with stability and lift.
Efficient flight, definitely important when your next meal
could be anywhere. And the bald head that's their
signature look isn't. It it is, and it's highly
functional. Think about sticking your head
(07:51):
inside a carcass. Having feathers there would be,
well, messy and unhygienic. The bare skin is much easier to
keep clean, reducing the risk ofinfections.
Makes perfect sense. Practical.
And there's another benefit. The dark skin absorbs sunlight
efficiently, which helps them warm up.
Actually, on cool mornings it aids thermal regulation.
Clever. Any other adaptations for
(08:11):
dealing with, you know, potentially nasty food?
Ohe yes, their digestive systemslike a biological incinerator.
Extremely strong stomach acids that neutralize most of the
harmful bacteria and pathogens found in rotting meat.
They can eat stuff that would make other animals incredibly
sick. Natures hazmat team.
You mentioned thermoregulation. How else do they handle heat and
(08:32):
cold? That bald head helps absorb
heat, but what about cooling down?
Of a rather unique method calledEuro hydrosis.
Or what? Euro hydrosis.
They essentially excrete liquid waste onto their legs.
They poop on their. Legs.
Basically yes. As it evaporates it cools the
blood circulating through their legs, acting like evaporative
cooling. It sounds gross, but it works.
(08:55):
Wow. OK, that's effective I guess.
Anything else for temperature control?
Well, they're dark plumage helpsabsorb heat, as we said, and
that soaring flight itself minimizes exertion so they don't
overheat as easily from flapping.
Plus they have a very efficient respiratory system like most
birds, delivering plenty of oxygen for flight without
overworking. OK so from super smell to
(09:17):
efficient flight and even leg cooling, they're really built
for the job. Do they change appearance much,
say between seasons or as they age?
Not really seasonally. Unlike some birds with distinct
summer and winter outfits, Turkey vultures look pretty much
the same year round. They molt, but it's gradual, not
a dramatic change. The big differences between
(09:37):
young birds and adults. Huh.
OK, how can you tell a youngsterfrom a grown up?
The head is the giveaway. Juvenile Turkey vultures have a
darker head, kind of grayish or blackish, and it's covered in
fuzzy down. Adults have that iconic bright
red bare skin head. So Gray fuzzy head means young,
red bear head means adult. Simple enough.
(09:58):
Any difference in feathers? Yeah, the youngsters body
feathers tend to look a bit darker, more uniform brown.
Black adults often show a bit more contrast, especially with
those silvery Gray flight feathers you see on the
underside of the wings. And they're soaring.
Got it. And you mentioned slight
regional differences earlier subspecies.
Right, there are about 5 recognized subspecies across
their vast range. They have subtle variations in
(10:21):
size and maybe slight colour tone differences.
For instance, the ones out West tend to be a little larger and
may be paler than the eastern ones.
Adaptations to local conditions.Interesting, those subtle tweaks
for different environments. Now we talked about the head
helping with heat absorption. What other tricks do they have
for managing body temperature? You mentioned Euro hydrosis for
(10:43):
cooling. Right, that's a key one for
heat. But they also use behavior.
Soaring itself helps. Less flapping means less body
heat generated. Makes sense.
They're feathers too dark to absorb sun when it's cool, but
if they get hot they can actually spread their wings out
while perched, letting air circulate underneath to cool.
Off so that wings out pose isn'tjust for drawing feathers.
(11:03):
It's called sunning and it does multiple things.
Warming up, drawing feathers after rain or dew, maybe even
helping Bake Off parasites like lice.
But yeah, also cooling if needed.
Multi-purpose pose? What about when it's?
Cold. Then they'll do the opposite.
Tuck their head in, fluff up their feathers to trap air,
maybe stand on one leg to reduceheat loss.
(11:24):
And roosting together helps. Huddling conserves body heat.
They also have a relatively low metabolic rate, which helps save
energy overall. They seem really well equipped
for a wide range of temperatures.
OK quick question. If you see 2 Turkey vultures
together, can you tell which is the male and which is the
female? That's the tricky part.
Visually almost impossible. They show very little sexual
(11:47):
dimorphism. Meaning males and females look.
Alike exactly. Same large dark body, same small
featherless redhead. In adults, similar wingspan,
usually around 1.6 and 1.8 meters.
Plumage is identical to that dark brown black, the silvery
undersides of the flight. Feathers, so you really can't
tell them apart just by looking.It's common in many vultures
(12:09):
since both parents share the work finding food, raising
young, there hasn't been evolutionary pressure for them
to look different. Makes field identification of
sex is very difficult. Interesting how roles shape
appearance or lack of differencein this case.
You mentioned 5 subspecies earlier.
Can you just briefly run throughthem and what makes them
distinct? Sure.
You've got Cathartes Ora Ora in the east, US&S, Canada,
(12:31):
relatively large, CA Septentrionalis out West in the
US and Canada, similar size, adapted to that climate.
C Meridian Ellis and the SWS down into Central America.
Generally a bit smaller, suited to warmer areas.
In South America. From Columbia down to northern
Argentina noted for a more reddish head and neck and Cho
(12:53):
dude in the very S Chile and Argentina, which is larger again
adapted to cooler conditions down there.
So subtle but real variations fitting them to different parts
of that huge range, all sharing that keen smell and soaring
ability. Though absolutely, those are the
core traits. OK, let's shift gears now to
behavior. How do these birds interact?
How do they communicate, especially if they don't really
(13:13):
sing? Right, their communication is
quite different from songbirds. They lack see rings, the voice
box most birds have, so no complex songs.
Their vocabulary is mostly simple hisses, some grunts,
maybe low growls. When would you hear those
sounds? Usually when they're feeling
threatened or maybe squabbling abit at a carcass or a crowded
roost. Distress calls, maybe mild
(13:35):
aggression, Nothing too elaborate.
So not very chatty, but they aresocial sometimes right?
You mentioned communal roosting.Very much so.
They often gather in large groups to roost overnight or
during bad weather, sometimes dozens, even hundreds of birds
together. They pick secluded spots, tall
trees, cliffs, even abandoned buildings, especially common
(13:57):
outside the breeding season. What's the advantage of roosting
together like that? Safety in numbers.
That's definitely part of it, more eyes looking out for
danger. It's also thought to be an
Information Centre. If one bird found a good food
source, others might follow it the next day.
And on cold nights, huddling together helps everyone stay
warmer. Practical benefits Safe,
(14:17):
informed and warm. What about when they're out
looking for food? Are they solitary them?
Mostly, yeah. They usually forage alone, or
maybe in small, loose groups. That incredible sense of smell
is their primary tool. But once one vulture finds a
carcass, its presence, maybe itscircling flight, often attracts
others. That's when you get those
(14:37):
feeding aggregations. And I guess things can get a bit
competitive at the dinner table.A little bit.
Sometimes you might see some posturing, spreading wings,
standing tall, trying to get thebest bits.
But they generally avoid seriousfights.
Often they'll defer to bigger scavengers if they show up, like
black vultures, or maybe eagles or coyotes.
Energy conservation seems key. Always comes back to saving
(15:00):
energy. I've seen huge groups spiraling
way up high. What's that about?
Is that social? Ah, it's called kettling.
It's an amazing sight. It's basically a group of
vultures using the same thermal updraft to gain altitude really
efficiently. They spiral upwards together in
that rising column of air. It's not necessarily social
interaction, but it's a collective way to travel,
(15:21):
especially during migration, covering ground with minimal
flapping. So even if they're not talking
much, they use group behavior strategically.
Are there other ways they signalthings without making noise?
Definitely. That's stunning posture.
We talked about wings spread wide.
That's visual signal. Besides thermal regulation and
drawing, it might signal presence or status to other
(15:42):
vultures. Like saying I'm here and I'm
doing OK. Perhaps something like that and
simply soaring and circling can act as an unintentional signal.
If you see several vultures circling one spot, others will
investigate, assuming there's food.
Body posture matters too. A hunched look with wings
slightly open might mean I feel threatened.
(16:03):
So reading the body language is important for them.
Now lots of birds defend territories.
Do Turkey vultures do that? Stake out a patch.
Generally, no. That's another interesting thing
about them. They're not really territorial
in the typical bird sense. They don't defend a specific
feeding area or roosting zone aggressively.
That fits with the communal roosting and feeding, doesn't
it? It does.
(16:24):
Their food source carrion is unpredictable.
It pops up randomly over large. There he is.
Defending a fixed territory wouldn't make much sense
energetically. They need to roam widely, so
they tend to tolerate each otherand other scavengers relatively
well at feeding sites. Did more about finding the
unpredictable resource than owning a patch of land.
Exactly. You might see minor squabbles, a
(16:45):
bit of jostling or posturing over a carcass, but not
prolonged serious fights to exclude others.
Their whole lifestyle leans towards being non territorial
and somewhat communal. It seems their social system is
really shaped by being scavengers.
Does their behavior change much depending on where they live?
Different habitats? Different regions.
Yeah, you do see some variations.
(17:06):
Migration is the obvious 1 northern birds travel southern
one, stay put. That's a huge behavioral
difference driven by climate andfood.
Makes sense? What about foraging?
That can vary too. Near reliable food sources like
say highways with roadkill or farms, they might not have to
travel as far each day. In more remote areas, they'd
likely cover much larger distances searching.
(17:28):
And their social life boosting. Roost size and location can
depend on what's available. Big trees and forests, Cliffs
and open country, maybe old barns.
They adapt. How much they rely on thermals
might also vary. Open planes are great for
thermals. Mountains or forests might offer
different kinds of updrafts or require different search
strategies. And who they compete with at
(17:50):
carcasses depends on what other scavengers are around them.
Black vultures, for example, canbe more aggressive competitors
in some areas. So, a flexible behavioral
toolkit built on a core set of adaptations.
What does a typical day look like for a Turkey vulture?
Walk us through their routine. OK, well, they're diurnal,
active during the day. Mornings often start slow.
(18:12):
They'll be at the communal roost, maybe doing that sunning
thing to warm up after cool night and dry off any due.
Being fueled up by the sun, right?
Then as the ground heats up and thermals start forming, usually
midmorning onwards, that's when they take flight.
We'll spend a good chunk of the day into the afternoon soaring
and circling, using those thermals and their amazing sense
of smell to scan for carrying over large areas.
(18:34):
The main work hours. Pretty much.
Then as the day cools down in the late afternoon or evening,
thermal activity dies down and they'll head back towards their
roof sites, maybe do some preening, interact a bit with
others, and then settle in for the night.
And that changes with season. Yeah, in colder weather they
might start later in the morningwaiting for things to warm up.
And during migration, obviously the focus is less on local
(18:57):
foraging and more on covering distance, so they'll be using
thermals to travel. A daily rhythm tuned perfectly
to the sun, the air currents andthe search for food.
OK, we know where they live, what they look like, how they
behave. Let's talk about the next
generation reproduction. When do Turkey vultures start
thinking about breeding? Their breeding season timing
(19:19):
really depends on where they are.
Latitude and local climate are the big factors.
Generally it's spring, but spring arrives at different
times. So earlier down South, later up
north. Exactly.
Up in the northern parts of their range, say Canada and the
northern US, they typically get started around March and
continue into June. That lines up with warmer
weather returning and more food becoming available after winter.
(19:41):
And further South. In the southern US, Mexico,
Central and South America, they might start earlier, maybe even
February, and the season can stretch longer into the summer.
In really tropical areas, the timing might be even more
flexible, linked more to local wet or dry seasons than just
temperature. The main thing is timing it so
conditions are good for raising checks.
(20:02):
Makes sense. Maximize the chances for the
young. OK, walk us through the key
stages from egg to adult vulture.
It starts with the egg stage obviously, but interestingly
they don't build nests. Like many words, no twigs and
leaves woven together. Really.
Where do they lay the eggs then?They find sheltered spots,
caves, rock crevices, hollow logs, thickets, even abandoned
(20:26):
buildings or sheds. They just lay the eggs directly
on the ground or debris in that shoulder location.
Usually one to three eggs, typically 2.
They're creamy white with some brown or lavender spots.
OK, no nest building. Who sits on the eggs?
Both parents share incubation duties.
They take turns keeping the eggswarm for about 30 to 40 days.
From the start? What about when the chicks
hatch? The chicks are altricial,
(20:47):
meaning they hatch blind, naked,completely helpless and
dependent on their parents. Both parents have a big job
feeding them. Absolutely.
Both parents feed the chicks by regurgitating partially digested
carrion. The chicks grow pretty fast,
developing a coat of white Dannyfeathers.
They stay in or near that rudimentary nest site for quite
(21:08):
a while, around 10:50 weeks. That's a long time in the nest
compared to some. Birds.
It is after that they entered the fledgling stage.
They start making short lights, exploring a bit, but they still
rely heavily on their parents, bringing them food.
Then comes the juvenile stage. They become more independent,
start scavenging on their own, though they might hang around
their parents for a while. You can recognize them by that
(21:30):
darker plumage and the fuzzy grayish head we talked about.
And when do they become fully adult?
They usually reach sexual maturity and get their full
adult look. The redhead the slightly more
contrasted plumage around two orthree years old.
As adults, they typically form monogamous pairs, often
returning to the same nesting areas each year, and they can
live a surprisingly long time. Up to 20 years in the wild has
(21:51):
been recorded, though 1015 mightbe more typical.
A whole journey from helpless chick to long lived adult.
How do they actually find a mate?
Are there courtship rituals? Yeah, they do have courtship
displays. 1 involves impressive aerial maneuvers.
A pair might soar together, circling each other gracefully
high in the sky. It shows off their flying skills
(22:13):
and helps form that pair bond. Flying dates, Anything.
Else they also have ground displays.
Sometimes they'll do this sort of ritualized hopping around
each other, maybe with wings partly spread.
It looks a bit awkward but seemsto reinforce the bond.
Adding to the same breeding areas year after year also helps
parents find each other again and maybe older, more
experienced birds are preferred as mates.
(22:34):
Those communal roosts also provide opportunities to meet
potential partners. So it's displays and maybe a
familiarity rather than bright colours or songs.
Do they ever mix it up with other vulture species?
Hybridize. Far as we know, no.
There's no documented evidence of Turkey vultures hybridizing
(22:54):
with other species like black vultures or condors in the wild.
Why not? Probably several reasons.
They have that unique reliance on smell which differs from some
others. They're specific behaviors,
habitat references, maybe slightdifferences in breeding timing,
and even though the range is huge, they might not overlap
with close relatives frequently enough in the right context.
(23:15):
During breeding season, they stick to their own kind.
OK, once they have paired up andhave chicks, how are they as
parents? You said both are involved.
Yes, they show strong parental care.
Both incubate. Both feed the young via
regurgitation for months, even after the chicks start flying.
That fledging period is long, 7080 days, and care continues
after they leave the nest. Site.
(23:35):
And do they protect the young? They do.
Besides choosing sheltered nest sites, they have that defence
mechanism we mentioned earlier. The projectile vomiting.
Exactly. If a predator approaches the
nest, an adult vulture might vomit a stream of foul smelling
semi digested food. It's apparently a very effective
deterrent and it lightens their load if they need to make a
(23:56):
quick escape. Definitely memorable.
Now back to those juveniles withthe Gray heads.
How else do they differ from adults behavior wise?
Well, their flight skills aren'tas polished.
You'll see juveniles practicing soaring, maybe looking a bit
less graceful than the adults. They're also still learning the
ropes of finding food less experienced scavengers, so they
might rely more on following adults to carcasses.
(24:19):
Socially they often hang out more with other young birds
initially before fully integrating into those mid stage
roosts. So a learning curve for flying,
feeding and fitting in. OK, let's dive into their diet.
We know it's carrion, but can webe more specific?
What exactly are they eating? Primarily, yes, carrying the
decaying flesh of dead animals. They are obligate scavengers,
(24:40):
meaning that's basically all they eat.
They're not picky about the source.
Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, even fish if they
find them washed up. Livestock carcasses are also
common food items in agricultural areas.
Do they have preferences like fresher versus older carcasses?
Generally, yeah, they seem to prefer fresher kills when they
have a choice, but they're perfectly capable of handling
(25:02):
stuff that's been dead for a while.
That keen sense of smell helps them find carcasses in various
stages of decay. They do occasionally nibble on
plant matter, like running pumpkins or other soft
vegetation, but it's a tiny, insignificant part of their
diet. Kerry and his King.
And this diet, it gives them that vital ecological role,
right cleaning up. Absolutely vital nutrient
(25:24):
recycling, disease reduction. It all stems from their
scavenging diet. So they're not really
controlling populations by hunting, but do they influence
other animal numbers indirectly?Indirectly, yes.
By removing carcasses quickly, they limit the spread of
diseases that could impact otherwildlife populations.
Their strong stomach acid neutralizes pathogens like
(25:45):
anthrax or Botulism, preventing those from persisting in the
environment. And by eating the carrion, they
reduced the food available for other scavengers, from insects
like blowflies to mammals like coyotes, which can influence
those populations. Plus, as we touched on, changes
in vulture numbers can signal changes in the health of the
ecosystem, like if there's suddenly less carrying available
(26:06):
or if they're being affected by toxins.
It's a subtle but important regulatory role.
Given their size. Do adult Turkey vultures have
many predators themselves? Adults, not really many natural
ones. Eagles may be great, Horned owls
might occasionally take one, especially a younger or weaker
bird, or perhaps compete aggressively at a carcass.
But generally adult quirky vultures are large and frankly
(26:28):
probably not very appealing as prey.
Their main threats are more human related.
The real vulnerability is at theegg and nestling stage.
What preys on the young? Mammals like raccoons, foxes,
maybe a possums if they can findthe nest site.
Snakes could potentially take eggs or very small chicks.
And those larger birds of prey, eagles and owls, would certainly
(26:49):
take nestlings if they got that chance.
So the young are the most at risk.
What defences do they have? Again, we mentioned the
vomiting. That's the main active defence
for adults and potentially olderchicks if threatened up close.
Soaring high is an escape tacticfrom ground predators.
Choosing hidden, inaccessible nest sites provides passive
protection, and roosting communally offers that safety
(27:11):
numbers vigilance. OK, a suite of defences.
How much does the availability of food drive their behavior and
where they live? Hugely influential, their whole
foraging strategy is built around finding unpredictable
food long distance, soaring, using smell, patrolling roads,
checking areas where animals might die, like farms.
Their daily movements reflect this.
(27:31):
They'll travel miles from a rushto find a meal.
And it shapes their overall range too.
Definitely, that seasonal migration of northern birds is
purely driven by food scarcity and cold and winter.
Their ability to live in diversehabitats, forests, deserts,
grasslands, even your cities, depends on there being enough
carrion. They avoid very dense, unbroken
(27:51):
forests where finding food by smell or sight would be too
hard, and you'll naturally find higher densities of vultures
where food is more abundant thanGary is with lots of wildlife or
agricultural regions. They really do follow the food
map. So placing them in the bigger
picture, how do they fit into the local food web?
What's their position? Their main position is as a
(28:12):
primary scavenger. They sit at the end of many food
chains, consuming organisms thathave died from other causes.
They're not typically predators themselves.
Their key function is breaking down this dead material,
returning nutrients to the soil.They're crucial sanitation,
preventing disease buildup regionally.
They interact with other scavengers, sometimes competing,
sometimes coexisting, sometimes even benefiting from others who
(28:35):
might open up a tough carcass first.
They're a critical link in the decomposition cycle.
Essential recyclers, we've talked a lot about their role.
Let's really focus on that broader ecological importance.
Why are they so vital? Summarize that for us.
OK. They're ecological role is
massive, primarily through scavenging.
They are, as you said, nature's recyclers.
They consume dead animals, breaking down organic matter and
(28:57):
speeding up the return of nutrients like nitrogen and
phosphorus back into the ecosystem for plants to use.
That's fundamental. Nutrient cycling.
Got it. What?
Else Disease Control. This is huge.
By eating carcasses quickly, they remove potential breeding
grounds for bacteria and diseasevectors.
Their digestive system neutralizes dangerous pathogens,
(29:17):
anthrax, Botulism, rabies virus potentially that could otherwise
infect other animals or even humans.
They effectively sanitize the landscape.
Ecosystem Cleanup through and public health service rolled
into one. You could say that, and they do
this across an enormous area from Canada to Argentina, in all
sorts of habitats, there are widespread beneficial presence.
(29:37):
They could also be indicator species.
Their health and numbers can tell us things about the overall
health of the environment they live.
In OK vital roles, How do they interact with other specific
groups? Animals, microbes, Plants.
With animals, it's mostly about that scavenging niche, competing
with other vultures, crows, mammals for access to carcasses.
(29:59):
Sometimes they find it first dueto smell, maybe attracting
others who can RIP open tough hides.
So there's a bit of indirect cooperation sometimes.
And, as we said, eggs and young are vulnerable to predation.
And microbes? They must have a close
relationship given their diet. A very close one.
Their gut microbiome is incredible.
It's loaded with bacteria that can break down flesh and,
crucially, tolerate or even neutralize the toxins produced
(30:22):
during decomposition. It's a unique internal ecosystem
adapted to that diet. And plants.
Any direct links? Not really direct.
They don't need plants. The connection is indirect.
By recycling nutrients from carcasses back into the soil,
they ultimately support plant growth.
Healthy scavengers contribute tohealthy soils and thus healthy
plant communities. It really is all connected.
Are there any specific examples of symbiosis or mutualism
(30:46):
involving Turkey vultures? Not in the strict sense of two
species living in direct intimate association for mutual
benefit, but you could argue there's a broader ecosystem
level mutualism. They're scavenging benefits
countless other organisms by cleaning up, preventing disease
and recycling nutrients. Other scavengers benefit when a
Turkey vulture finds food 1st, and in places like farms they
(31:08):
provide a direct service to humans by disposing of dead
livestock, which benefits the farmer and reduces potential
disease spread. So it's more about the
widespread benefits of their ecological role than a specific
one-on-one partnership. A general benefactor of the
ecosystem given their diet, Do they suffer from many diseases
or parasites themselves? They're exposed to a lot,
(31:29):
certainly bacterial infections like salmonella are a risk, but
their stomach acid handles much of it.
Viruses like West Nile can affect them, though.
They seem pretty resilient. They definitely get parasites,
external ones like lice and mites, which sunning might help
control, and internal worms. Fungal infections like
aspergillosis can occur, especially if a bird is
stressed, but overall they seem remarkably tough, likely due to
(31:52):
evolutionary adaptations to their hazardous diet.
Built tough and finally, on thisecological front, remind us of
their conservation status. Are they in trouble?
Thankfully, no. The Turkey vulture is listed as
Least Concern by the IUCN. That's the lowest risk category.
They have a huge range of very large population and overall
(32:12):
their numbers are considered stable or even increasing in
some areas, like the northward expansion discussed.
That's great news for such an important bird, O While they're
doing OK overall, they must still face some threats, right?
What are the main dangers for Turkey vultures?
Even common species face threats.
Habitat loss is 1. Clearing forests or developing
(32:32):
land reduces places for them to roost and nest safely.
Poisoning is a big concern. This could be secondary
poisoning where they eat an animal that was intentionally
poisoned, or lead poisoning fromeating carcasses containing lead
shot or bullet fragments. Ah, that lead issue again.
Yes, it's a persistent problem for many scavengers.
Collisions are another threat hitting vehicles.
(32:52):
Power lines, wind turbines, environmental contaminants,
pesticides and other chemicals can build up in their systems,
and simple human disturbance at nests or roosts can cause them
to abandon sites. Longer term climate change could
impact habitats and food availability, Maybe alter
migration timings too. So mostly human related threats
it sounds like. How specifically do things like
(33:14):
pollution or climate change hit them?
We mentioned lead. Right, lead is a major toxin
causing neurological issues. Historically pesticides like DDT
caused eggshell thinning and Raptors, though the impact on
vultures was maybe less documented than on eagles or
Pelicans. Other chemicals still pose
risks. We don't fully know the impact
of things like microplastics yet.
(33:36):
Climate change is mentioned can shift their range like the
northward movement, but it couldalso cause more extreme weather
affecting prey populations. Either increases or decreases in
carcasses or alter the timing offood availability relative to
breeding. They're comfortable, but rapid
change is always a challenge. Lots of interacting factors.
Given their Least Concern, are there any specific conservation
(33:58):
efforts aimed just at them? Not really large scale programs
focused only on Turkey vultures because they aren't currently
seen as needing that level of intervention.
However, they absolutely benefitfrom broader conservation work.
Things like protecting migratorybird habitats, reducing
pesticide use, efforts to mitigate bird collisions with
power lines or wind turbines. Laws make the Migratory Bird
(34:20):
Treaty Act in the US offer legalprotection and crucially,
campaigns to encourage hunters and anglers to switch to non
lead ammunition are really important for reducing that lead
poisoning risk for all scavengers.
So protecting the environment generally helps the vultures
too. How effective are things like
habitat restoration for them? Does protecting land make a
(34:40):
difference if they're so adaptable?
It definitely helps. While they can use varied open
habitats, preserving large undisturbed areas with suitable
nesting cliffs or mature roost trees is important.
Protecting habitats also means protecting the wildlife
populations that eventually become their food source.
Reducing human disturbance in key nesting or roost areas is
also vital. So yes, even for an adaptable
(35:02):
species, habitat protection and restoration provide essential
resources and refuge, especiallywhere human pressures are high.
OK, what about their significance to us humans,
especially in farming? You mentioned waste removal.
Yes, that's a big one. In agricultural areas, they
provide a free and efficient carcass disposal service.
Removing dead livestock quickly reduces the farmer's workload
(35:24):
and cost, and critically helps control the spread of diseases
like anthrax or brucellosis thatcould affect other livestock or
even people. So a direct economic and health
benefit to farmers. Absolutely.
They also help by removing carrion that might otherwise
attract unwanted pests, and theycontribute to soil health
through nutrient recycling. They're really unsung heroes in
(35:45):
agricultural landscapes. And stepping back again, their
role in overall ecosystem protection.
It comes back to those core functions.
Nutrient cycling keeps the wholesystem productive.
Disease Control protects wildlife and potentially human
health. They act as indicators of
environmental health. And by specializing on carrion,
they help balance the scavenger community.
(36:07):
They're a fundamental part of a functioning, healthy ecosystem.
OK, clearly ecologically vital. Let's shift to their scientific
and educational importance. How have Turkey vultures helped
us learn more about the natural world?
They've been surprisingly informative.
They're incredible sense of smell has made them a key
species for studying olfaction in birds, how birds use scent to
(36:27):
navigate and find food. Research on them helps us
understand decomposition processes and how ecosystems
naturally control disease spread.
Their ural hydrosis is a fascinating case study in
thermoregulation. Their soaring flight is studied
insights into aerodynamics and energy efficiency.
Their adaptability to human landscapes provides lessons for
conservation biology, and because they're at the top of
(36:51):
the scavenging food chain, they're useful for monitoring
levels of environmental toxins like lead or pesticides.
Quite a range of contributions. What kinds of tools do
scientists use to study? Them All sorts of GPS and
satellite trackers are fitted tobirds to map their movements,
migrations and how they use different habitats.
Bird banding Putting unique rings on their legs helps track
individual survival, lifespan and travel over many years.
(37:14):
Camera traps monitor behavior atnests or feeding sites without
disturbance. Stable isotope analysis of
feathers or blood can reveal details about their diet and
where they've been. So high tech tracking and lab
work. Yes.
Plus, traditional field observation is still vital for
understanding behavior. Genetic studies look at
population structure and relatedness across their range,
(37:36):
and citizen science platforms like eBird collect massive
amounts of data on their distribution and abundance.
Thanks to birdwatchers everywhere.
A combination of approaches. Despite all this study, what are
the big unanswered questions? What do we still need to learn
about Turkey vultures? There are still gaps.
We could understand their migration routes and the factors
influencing them in even more detail, especially with climate
(37:58):
change. The full picture of genetic
diversity across their entire continental range isn't
complete. The precise long term effects of
newer environmental contaminantsare often unknown.
What else? They're exact role in the
ecology of specific diseases needs more study.
How extensive are human vulture conflicts, say around airports
or farms, and what are the best ways to manage them and even
(38:21):
their basic communication? Those hisses and grunts could be
studied in more detail for subtle variations or meanings.
There's always more to learn. Plenty for future researchers to
investigate. All right, let's wrap this up.
We've covered a lot of ground onthe Turkey Vulture, that
incredible range and adaptability really stand out.
Absolutely. From southern Canada down to
Tierra del Fuego, living in deserts, forests, farmland, they
(38:44):
manage it all. And their physical toolkit is
just perfectly designed. The amazing sense of smell, the
efficient soaring, the bald headfor hygiene, that tough
digestive system. And their social life, while not
noisy, is interesting. The communal roosts for safety
and information, the aerial displays for courtship, it all
fits their lifestyle. And their ecological role cannot
(39:05):
be overstated. As nature's primary recyclers,
they are crucial for nutrient cycling, Disease Control,
basically keeping ecosystems clean and healthy across the
Americas. While they're doing well overall
Least Concern, we still need to be mindful of threats like lead
poisoning, habitat loss, and collisions.
General conservation helps them significantly.
And scientifically, they continue to teach us about
(39:27):
everything from bird senses to ecosystem function, a truly
valuable species both ecologically and for research.
So next time you happen to see one of those dark shapes
circling effortlessly way up high, maybe give a little nod of
appreciation. It's doing vital work.
U there? Definitely remember that even
species that might not seem glamorous play absolutely
(39:48):
essential roles in keeping our natural world working.
Indeed, thanks for joining us onthis deep dive into the world of
the Turkey Vulture. And we extend our sincere
gratitude to moonaturedocumentariesmoo.com,
owned by Karl Heinz Miller, whose resources were valuable in
preparing for this discussion.
Popular Podcasts
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com