When most people think of vultures, they picture dark birds circling high in the sky, searching for something long gone. In Missouri, vultures are a regular part of the landscape—quietly doing an essential job. Two species call this state home: the well-known Turkey Vulture and the slightly less familiar Black Vulture. While they might not win any beauty contests, these birds play a big role in keeping our environment clean by feeding on carrion and helping stop the spread of disease.
You’ve probably seen them soaring above highways or perched in tall trees, wings outstretched to warm in the morning sun. They’re not aggressive, and despite old myths, they don’t hunt live animals. Instead, they rely on a strong sense of smell (in the case of the Turkey Vulture) or keen eyesight (more typical of the Black Vulture) to find food.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the vultures of Missouri—their habits, where to find them, and how they contribute to the natural balance. Whether you find them fascinating or a little eerie, there’s more to these birds than meets the eye. Understanding them might just change the way you see them.
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: Leaves in late fall, returns early spring.
The Turkey Vulture is one of the most widespread vultures in the Western Hemisphere, found from southern Canada all the way to the tip of South America. In the United States, it is common across most of the country, especially during warmer months.
In Missouri, the Turkey Vulture is a familiar sight from early spring to late fall, though some individuals remain through the winter in the southern parts of the state. These birds thrive in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, farmland, grasslands, and even areas near human development, often seen gliding high overhead.
Turkey Vultures have a very distinctive look that sets them apart from other large birds. Their bodies are dark brown to black overall, with lighter feathers underneath that can appear silvery in flight. What really stands out is their small, featherless red head, which is more prominent in adults. Juveniles have grayish heads until they mature.
The Turkey Vulture’s long, broad wings and long tail give it a graceful, floating flight style, and it often holds its wings in a shallow V-shape, rocking slightly from side to side as it soars. These characteristics make it one of the most easily recognized birds in the skies above Missouri.
Turkey Vultures nest in places most people would never expect. They don’t build nests but instead lay eggs directly on bare ground in sheltered spots—rocky crevices, hollow logs, abandoned buildings, or beneath ledges. Nesting areas are typically far from human traffic, and the same site may be reused for years.
Females usually lay two eggs, and both parents share incubation duties for about 30–40 days. Once hatched, the chicks are fed through regurgitation and stay at the nest for around two to three months. The lack of a formal nest might seem odd, but it’s effective—simple and well-hidden often means safe.
Turkey Vultures are specialized scavengers with an incredible sense of smell, allowing them to detect the gases released by decaying animals from high in the air. They feed almost entirely on carrion, and unlike Black Vultures, they rarely, if ever, hunt live prey. Their preference is for animals that have recently died, and they avoid rotting or spoiled meat more than other scavengers.
This cleaner approach plays a crucial role in nature, as it helps reduce the spread of disease. In rural Missouri, they’re often seen gliding over fields, scanning for roadkill or other remains left by predators or accidents.
Turkey Vultures are not only widespread—they’re thriving. Historically misunderstood and even persecuted, they are now recognized as vital to the ecosystem. Their population has remained strong across Missouri and the broader U.S. thanks in part to legal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Unlike some birds, they’ve adapted well to human presence and changes in the landscape, nesting on cliffs or buildings and finding food along roads and in agricultural areas. Conservation efforts have largely focused on education and habitat awareness, reminding people that these birds are harmless and perform an important role in keeping our environment clean and healthy.
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: Breeding and increasingly common
- Migratory behaviour: Present year-round, does not leave Missouri.
The Black Vulture is a dark, broad-winged bird native to the Americas, with its range extending from the southeastern United States through Central America and into much of South America. In the U.S., it is most commonly found in the southeastern states but has been steadily expanding its range northward.
In recent years, it has become increasingly common in southern Missouri and has begun establishing breeding populations further into the Midwest. These birds prefer open or semi-open landscapes, including farmland, forest edges, and even suburban areas, where they can find suitable roosting sites in trees or on man-made structures.
Visually, the Black Vulture is strikingly dark in appearance. Its plumage is entirely black, with a slightly glossy sheen in good light. The head is featherless and a pale gray-black color, giving it a wrinkled, bare-skinned appearance. This bald head helps the bird stay clean while feeding. In flight, Black Vultures are easily identified by their short, square tails and broad wings, which feature distinctive white patches near the wing tips when viewed from below.
Their flapping flight style is also a key identifier—quick, stiff wingbeats followed by short glides, quite different from the effortless soaring of their cousin, the Turkey Vulture.
Black Vultures aren’t nest builders in the traditional sense. Instead of constructing a nest, they lay their eggs directly on the ground in dark, sheltered spots—often in hollow logs, abandoned buildings, caves, or beneath dense brush. They lay one to three eggs, typically two, and both parents take part in incubation and feeding
The eggs hatch after about 38–41 days. The young are cared for in the nest area for several months. Black Vultures often return to the same nesting sites year after year, especially if they are undisturbed. Their loyalty to certain roosting and nesting areas helps maintain strong local populations when conditions allow.
Black Vultures rely heavily on carrion, but unlike Turkey Vultures, they have a weak sense of smell. Instead, they use their sharp eyesight and often follow Turkey Vultures to food sources. In more urbanized areas, they may scavenge at dumpsters or along roadsides. They have also been known to prey opportunistically on small animals such as newborn livestock, although this is relatively rare.
Their diet can include eggs and other easily obtained protein sources, especially during the breeding season. Their feeding behavior often appears aggressive compared to Turkey Vultures, as they tend to dominate carcasses in groups, displacing other scavengers.
Historically, Black Vultures were mostly limited to the southeastern United States, but in the past several decades, they’ve expanded their range into the Midwest, including much of Missouri. Warmer winters, urban development, and the adaptability of this species have all contributed to its northward movement. While not considered threatened, they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
In Missouri, their increased presence has brought new management challenges, especially in rural areas where they occasionally damage property or prey on weak livestock. Educational outreach and non-lethal deterrents are now part of conservation efforts, helping people live alongside this species without conflict.
Where to look for Vultures in Missouri
If you’re looking to spot vultures in Missouri, you’re in luck—they’re surprisingly easy to find once you know where to look. These large birds prefer open areas where they can soar and scan for food, but they also roost in wooded hills or tall trees near water. Early morning is a great time to see them warming up in the sun with wings spread wide. Later in the day, look up—they’ll often be gliding overhead in slow, drifting circles.
Turkey Vultures are common across the entire state, while Black Vultures are more often seen in southern Missouri. A pair of binoculars and a bit of patience can go a long way.
Here are four great spots to find them:
- Mingo National Wildlife Refuge – Great for early morning roosting vultures.
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways – Offers beautiful views and frequent flyovers.
- Ha Ha Tonka State Park – Bluffs and clearings make for ideal vulture habitat.
- Mark Twain National Forest (southern sections) – Especially good for spotting Black Vultures.
Whether you’re hiking, driving, or just relaxing outside, keep an eye on the sky—you might be surprised by what’s soaring above.
Conclusion
Vultures may not be flashy or beloved by all, but in Missouri, they play an essential role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Both Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures help clean the environment by removing carrion, which reduces the spread of disease.
Though their appearance and habits might seem grim to some, they are fascinating, highly adapted birds worth appreciating. As their populations grow and ranges shift, learning to understand and coexist with them becomes more important than ever. Vultures are part of Missouri’s natural balance, soaring overhead and quietly doing the work that few others can—or would—ever do.
