Vultures might not be everyone’s favorite bird, but in Michigan, they play a surprisingly important role in the ecosystem. With their bald heads, hunched posture, and slow, circling flight, vultures can seem a bit ominous at first glance. But spend a little time observing them, and you start to see just how fascinating and useful they really are. These birds are nature’s cleanup crew, quietly disposing of dead animals and helping to prevent the spread of disease.
In Michigan, two vulture species are most commonly seen: the Turkey Vulture and the less common Black Vulture. Both are often spotted soaring effortlessly on warm air currents, especially in the southern parts of the state during the warmer months. Despite their somewhat grim reputation, vultures are gentle, social birds with a unique set of behaviors that set them apart from other raptors.
This article takes a closer look at vultures in Michigan where and when you’re likely to see them, what they eat, how they nest, and the role they play in maintaining a healthy environment. Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or just curious about these misunderstood scavengers, there’s a lot more to vultures than meets the eye.
1. Black Vulture
- Scientific name: Coragyps atratus
- Life span: 15-20 years
- Size: 56-66 cm / 22-26 in
- Weight: 0.9-1.6 kg / 2-3.5 lbs
- Wingspan: 1.3-1.5 m / 4.3-4.9 ft
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Migratory and rare
- Migratory behaviour: Rare; may linger into late fall occasionally.
The Black Vulture is a striking and somewhat mysterious bird, known for its dark plumage and bold, inquisitive nature. It has a mostly black body with broad wings and a short tail, and stands out with its pale wingtips that flash in contrast during flight. Its featherless grayish-black head gives it a distinctive look, well-suited to its role as a scavenger.
While it is most common in the southeastern United States and throughout Central and South America, the species has been expanding its range northward over the past few decades. In recent years, it has appeared more frequently in southern parts of Michigan, though still considered rare. These sightings are most often during the warmer months when rising temperatures and favourable conditions allow them to soar alongside Turkey Vultures. Though they are not yet a common fixture in Michigan’s skies, their slow but steady spread north makes them a species to watch in the coming years.
Often mistaken for their more widespread cousin at a distance, Black Vultures reveal their true identity when they flap more often and show a stiffer, choppier flight pattern. Observing one in Michigan remains a notable event for birders across the state.
When it comes to nesting, the Black Vulture prefers places that are undisturbed and hidden from plain view. Unlike many birds, they don’t actually build nests from twigs or grasses. Instead, they simply lay their eggs in sheltered spots such as hollow logs, abandoned buildings, caves, or dense brush piles.
The eggs, usually two, are cream-colored with darker blotches. Both parents share responsibilities, taking turns incubating and later feeding the chicks. In areas farther south, this behaviour is well documented, but in Michigan, nesting is still considered extremely rare or non-existent due to the species’ recent and limited expansion into the state.
Should they begin to breed regularly here, conservationists and birders alike would likely monitor their nesting closely to understand how these adaptable birds are managing in new territory and climate conditions.
Black Vultures are scavengers through and through, and they play a vital role in the ecosystem by feeding on carrion. Unlike their Turkey Vulture cousins, which locate food using an extraordinary sense of smell, Black Vultures rely more heavily on sight and often follow Turkey Vultures to a carcass. Once there, they tend to feed aggressively, sometimes even driving other scavengers away. They prefer fresh remains and are not above feeding on roadkill, dead livestock, or even discarded meat from human sources.
Occasionally, especially in rural areas, they’ve been seen near farms where their presence is less welcomed due to reports of them investigating weak or vulnerable newborn animals. Their group behaviour is strong, and they often feed in tight groups, which adds to their efficiency but sometimes leads to friction with humans.
Historically, the Black Vulture was a bird mostly limited to the southeastern United States, with its core population based in warmer climates. But over the past few decades, changes in climate and human-altered landscapes, along with their adaptable nature, have allowed the species to move steadily northward. In Michigan, sightings have become more regular in the last ten to twenty years, particularly in the southern counties, though they are still considered rare. Conservationists are watching this shift closely.
Although the species is not considered at risk, understanding how they adapt and what impacts they might have on local ecosystems is important. In parts of their core range, management strategies sometimes focus on minimizing conflict with farmers, but in Michigan, the focus remains on documenting their movements and potential breeding activity as their presence gradually increases.
2. Turkey Vulture
- Scientific name: Cathartes aura
- Life span: 16-20 years
- Size: 66-81 cm / 26-32 in
- Weight: 0.9-2.3 kg / 2-5 lbs
- Wingspan: 1.8-2.3 m / 5.9-7.5 ft
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Migrates south in late October or early November.
The Turkey Vulture is one of the most familiar large birds seen soaring over Michigan’s open fields, forests, and roadways during the warmer months. With its long, broad wings held in a shallow “V” shape while gliding and its teetering flight pattern, this bird is instantly recognizable once you know what to look for. Its plumage is mostly dark brown to black, but the underside of the wings shows a strong contrast with lighter-coloured flight feathers.
Up close, the bird has a small, red, bald head, which is a characteristic trait shared by all vultures. The Turkey Vulture has an extremely wide range, found from southern Canada throughout the United States, and into Central and South America. In Michigan, they arrive in early spring and remain until late fall, commonly nesting in secluded areas like hollow trees, cliffs, or even abandoned buildings.
They are especially numerous in rural and semi-rural areas, where they can be seen circling high on thermals in the late morning and afternoon. Unlike some raptors, they lack a sharp, predatory presence and instead bring a quiet, graceful rhythm to the sky. Though their appearance might unsettle some, their widespread presence is a sign of a healthy environment.
Turkey Vultures have a rather minimalist approach to nesting. They don’t build typical nests with sticks or leaves but instead use naturally sheltered locations to lay their eggs. These sites include rocky outcrops, caves, hollow logs, abandoned buildings, or dense thickets. They prefer remote, undisturbed areas and often return to the same general region year after year. The female typically lays two eggs, which are creamy-white with dark blotches. Both parents incubate the eggs and later regurgitate food for the chicks once they hatch.
In Michigan, this behaviour takes place from around March through June, depending on location and weather. Nesting Turkey Vultures are sensitive to disturbance, so they are rarely observed during this time unless purposefully monitored. Their strategy of using hidden or hard-to-reach places helps them avoid predators and humans, making them surprisingly discreet breeders despite their large size.
The diet of a Turkey Vulture revolves almost entirely around carrion. These birds are uniquely equipped with an incredible sense of smell, which allows them to locate dead animals even when hidden beneath a forest canopy. They are particularly drawn to freshly deceased animals and often begin feeding long before other scavengers even know there’s food around. Their digestive system is highly acidic, allowing them to safely consume bacteria-laden meat that would be deadly to most animals.
In Michigan, they commonly feed on roadkill, dead deer, raccoons, and smaller mammals, as well as fish and other animals found near water. Though they prefer solitude while soaring, they often gather in loose groups when feeding. You may see several Turkey Vultures gathered around a carcass, each taking turns or cautiously moving in and out. While their diet might not seem glamorous, it’s critically important—Turkey Vultures help clean the landscape and reduce the spread of disease by disposing of what nature leaves behind.
Turkey Vultures have never been endangered, but their image has suffered due to a long history of misunderstanding. In the past, they were sometimes blamed for killing livestock, though there’s little evidence for this, especially compared to the more aggressive behaviour of Black Vultures. Over time, as more research was done, they gained appreciation for their important role in the ecosystem. In Michigan, they are now considered a regular and stable breeding species.
Their population is strong, and they are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Conservation efforts today focus more on maintaining healthy habitats and reducing threats like vehicle collisions, habitat loss, and occasional persecution. Public education has also helped their cause—more people now understand that their presence signals a healthy natural cycle rather than a sign of death or decay. In fact, seeing a group of Turkey Vultures soaring together has become a familiar part of summer in much of Michigan.
Where to look for Vultures in Michigan
If you want to spot vultures in Michigan, you’re in luck—they’re surprisingly easy to find once you know where to look. These large, dark birds are most often seen gliding in slow, graceful circles high above open landscapes. Look up on warm, sunny days, especially late morning to early afternoon, when rising thermals help them stay aloft with little effort. Roadsides, farm fields, and forest edges are all great places to scan the sky.
A good pair of binoculars can help, but vultures are big enough that you’ll often see them with the naked eye. Early spring through late fall is the best time, since many migrate south in winter. They don’t usually hang out deep in the forest—you’ll have better luck around open spaces where carrion is more visible.
Four great spots to find vultures in Michigan include:
- Waterloo State Recreation Area near Jackson, with its mix of woods and open space.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where thermals along the bluffs draw soaring birds.
- Kalamazoo Nature Center, especially in late summer.
- Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, a wide mix of habitats that attracts Turkey Vultures.
Conclusion
Vultures in Michigan may not be flashy or colourful, but their role in nature is vital. These scavengers quietly clean up the landscape, preventing disease and maintaining balance in the ecosystem.
Whether it’s the widespread Turkey Vulture or the increasingly seen Black Vulture, both deserve a closer look and a bit more appreciation. Watching them soar overhead reminds us that even the most misunderstood creatures have an important place in the natural world around us.
