North Carolina supports two regularly occurring vulture species that are widely associated with open landscapes, farmland, forests, river valleys, roadsides, and other areas where carrion is available. Turkey Vultures are the more widespread and frequently encountered species across the state, while Black Vultures occur more locally and are especially tied to agricultural areas and livestock operations. Although both species are often seen soaring together, they differ noticeably in structure, flight style, and regional distribution. This guide explains how to identify North Carolina’s vultures and where they are most likely to be encountered throughout the year.
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
- Identification: Large, long-winged vulture with a dark brown to blackish body, small featherless red head, pale bill, and contrasting silvery underwings.
- Where found: Widespread year-round across most of North Carolina in open and semi-open habitats including farmland, roadsides, river valleys, and suburban areas, but scarce on some coastal islands and at higher mountain elevations in winter.
- How to spot: Look for birds soaring with wings held in a shallow “V,” rocking side to side with few wingbeats while gliding low over fields, roadsides, or wooded edges.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common and generally stable across North Carolina, with continued adaptability to human-altered landscapes.
The Turkey Vulture is the most widespread and frequently encountered vulture in North Carolina and one of the state’s most familiar large soaring birds. Adults measure 64 to 81 centimeters (25.2 to 31.9 inches) in length and have a wingspan of 150 to 200 centimeters (59.1 to 78.7 inches). The species has long, broad wings, a relatively small featherless head, and a long tail that projects noticeably in flight. Adults appear dark brown to blackish overall, with silvery-gray flight feathers that contrast with the darker underwing coverts and create a distinctly two-toned appearance from below. The bare head is red in adults, and the bill is pale ivory and strongly hooked.
In the field, Turkey Vultures are most easily identified by buoyant soaring flight. Birds typically hold their wings in a shallow “V” and rock gently from side to side while gliding on thermals or air currents, often with very few wingbeats. Individuals frequently soar low over open country, wooded edges, roadsides, and fields while searching for carrion. The species feeds almost entirely on dead animals and is capable of locating carcasses using both sight and a highly developed sense of smell. Turkey Vultures often forage alone or in loose groups and regularly gather at roadkill, agricultural areas, and landfills. At carcasses in North Carolina, they are often displaced by the more aggressive Black Vulture.
The Turkey Vulture is a permanent resident across nearly all of North Carolina, though some migratory movement occurs, especially in the Mountains. It is common to very common across much of the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and lower mountain elevations, but becomes less regular along portions of the immediate coast and on barrier islands such as Hatteras, Ocracoke, and Core Banks, where it occurs mainly during migration and early winter. In the Mountains, the species is common year-round at lower elevations but becomes uncommon or rare during winter above roughly 1,370 meters (4,500 feet). The species uses a broad range of habitats but is most strongly associated with open or broken landscapes near wooded cover, including farmland, forest edges, river valleys, roadsides, and suburban areas. Turkey Vultures roost communally in trees and, in some urban parts of North Carolina, also use transmission towers and cell towers near forest and water.
Turkey Vultures remain common and stable across North Carolina and continue to be one of the state’s most frequently observed large raptors. Their flexible scavenging habits and ability to use varied landscapes, including developed areas, have supported long-term stability. Threats include poisoning, collisions with vehicles, and lead exposure from contaminated carcasses. Habitat changes associated with intensive development may reduce suitable roosting and nesting sites locally, though the species continues to persist successfully across most of the state.
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
- Identification: Compact black vulture with broad wings, a very short tail, bare gray-black head, and whitish patches near the wingtips visible in flight.
- Where found: Year-round across much of North Carolina, especially in agricultural areas, river corridors, and open country with nearby woodland, but scarcer near the immediate coast and in the higher mountains.
- How to spot: Watch for compact vultures soaring with flat wings and short glides, often in groups above pastures, roadsides, landfills, or livestock farms.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations in North Carolina declined during the late 20th century but have stabilized or slightly increased in recent decades.
The Black Vulture is the smaller and more social of North Carolina’s two regularly occurring vultures and is most often encountered in agricultural landscapes and river valleys. Adults measure 60 to 68 centimeters (23.6 to 26.8 inches) in length and have a wingspan of 137 to 150 centimeters (53.9 to 59.1 inches). The species has broad wings, a very short squarish tail, and a relatively small bare head that creates a noticeably compact silhouette in flight compared to the longer-winged Turkey Vulture. Adults are entirely black overall, with a wrinkled gray-black head and distinctive whitish patches on the outer primaries that become especially visible from below during flight.
Black Vultures are typically identified by their flight style and social behavior. Birds soar high on thermals with flat wings and alternate short glides with frequent, strong wingbeats. They often travel and feed in groups and are commonly seen circling over roads, landfills, livestock operations, and open farmland. Unlike Turkey Vultures, which rely heavily on smell, Black Vultures locate carrion mainly by sight and by following other scavengers. In North Carolina, farm animal carcasses form a major part of the diet, especially near poultry, swine, and cattle operations. The species is generally silent but may produce hisses, grunts, or barking sounds at feeding sites or near nests.
The Black Vulture is a year-round resident across most of North Carolina, though local and seasonal movements occur, especially in the Mountains. It is fairly common in many parts of the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, particularly in areas with extensive livestock farming, but becomes scarcer near the immediate coast, on barrier islands, and in heavily urbanized landscapes. The species is most numerous in portions of the northeastern Coastal Plain, especially around the Roanoke River region, while remaining relatively scarce in the Sandhills. In the Mountains, it is generally uncommon at lower elevations and becomes rare at higher elevations, especially during winter when some birds move out of the region. Black Vultures forage across a wide variety of open habitats but usually nest in secluded sites such as abandoned barns and sheds, caves, rock crevices, dense thickets, and vine tangles.
Black Vulture populations in North Carolina declined noticeably during the 1970s and 1980s and were formerly listed as a state Species of Special Concern. Reduced availability of livestock carcasses and changes in carcass disposal practices likely contributed to these declines. Since the late 20th century, however, numbers have stabilized or increased slightly in some regions, and the species was removed from the state concern list in 2008. Loss of secluded nesting structures and disturbance near nest sites may still reduce breeding success locally, especially where abandoned rural buildings disappear or nesting sites become more exposed to human activity.
Distinguishing Turkey and Black Vultures in the Field
In North Carolina, the Turkey Vulture is the vulture most observers encounter, and its flight style provides the quickest way to identify it. Turkey Vultures typically soar with their long wings held in a shallow “V” and often rock noticeably from side to side while gliding. The underwings show a strongly two-toned pattern, with pale silvery flight feathers contrasting against darker coverts. Adult birds also have a small red bare head. Black Vultures are more compact, with broader wings, a very short tail, and a stiffer flight style that combines frequent wingbeats with short glides. They usually hold their wings flat in flight and show bright whitish patches near the wingtips. Adults have a dark gray to blackish bare head rather than the red head of the Turkey Vulture.
Large soaring raptors are sometimes mistaken for vultures, especially at a distance. Eagles and hawks differ in both structure and flight behavior. Bald Eagles and other large raptors typically soar with steadier wing posture and lack the rocking motion characteristic of Turkey Vultures. They also have fully feathered heads and proportionally larger projecting heads in flight. Hawks such as Red-tailed Hawks are smaller overall, with shorter wings and tails and a more compact soaring profile.
Where and When to See Vultures in North Carolina
Vultures can be observed across much of North Carolina throughout the year, especially over open landscapes where rising warm air supports soaring flight. Turkey Vultures are the more widespread species and are regularly seen above farmland, forest edges, river valleys, roadsides, and suburban outskirts across the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and lower mountain elevations. Black Vultures are more localized but occur widely in agricultural regions, especially near cattle farms, poultry operations, feed lots, and landfills. Both species are easiest to observe on sunny days when birds circle high on thermals or glide low over open country searching for carrion.
The best viewing opportunities usually occur from late morning through afternoon, when warming air creates stronger thermals and vultures become more active overhead. Turkey Vultures remain common across most of the state year-round, while Black Vultures are less regular near the immediate coast and in the higher mountains during winter. In the Mountains, noticeable fall migration can sometimes be observed at hawk watch sites, where both species may pass southward in small numbers.
For a broader perspective, see our guide to the types of vultures in North America, and explore the Birds of North Carolina and Birds of the United States pages for additional regional and national bird guides.
