There are a few birds that resemble small vultures in appearance. Vultures are large, predatory birds that feed on carrion. They have distinct features like bald heads, large wingspans, and hooked beaks designed for tearing flesh. Smaller raptors that share some of these characteristics include the black vulture, turkey vulture, red-tailed hawk, and American kestrel. Each of these birds may initially look like a small vulture to an untrained eye.
Black Vulture
The black vulture is one of the most common vulture species found across much of the United States. As their name suggests, black vultures have mostly black plumage, unlike the lighter-colored turkey vulture. Black vultures have wingspans around 5 feet, much smaller than the 6-foot wingspan of turkey vultures. Their heads are darker in color than turkey vultures and not quite as bald. From a distance, the all-black plumage and rounded profile in flight can cause black vultures to resemble small vultures.
Some key features of black vultures:
- Size: 23-27 inches long, 5-5.5 foot wingspan
- Coloring: All black plumage
- Distinctive features: Smaller and darker than turkey vultures; gray, wrinkled head
- Location: Found year-round in southeastern states, ranges as far north as the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states in summer
Turkey Vulture
Turkey vultures are one of the most widespread vulture species in North America. They range across the United States year-round. Turkey vultures have dark brown or black feathers with a featherless red head. Their wingspan reaches up to 6 feet but their bodies are much smaller at just 25-32 inches long. In flight, turkey vultures look like small, dark vultures thanks to their large wingspan compared to their body size. The silhouette of their wings against the sky can resemble a miniature vulture to observers below.
Some key features of turkey vultures:
- Size: 25-32 inches long, 5-6 foot wingspan
- Coloring: Dark brown/black with bright red head
- Distinctive features: Large wingspan compared to body size; rocking flight pattern
- Location: Found year-round throughout most of the continental United States
Red-Tailed Hawk
The red-tailed hawk is a common, wide-ranging raptor found across North America. Adults have brown upperparts and pale underparts with a trademark red tail. Their wingspans are around 4 feet. In flight, red-tailed hawks can appear darker from below, showing mostly their brown back and wings. Their broad, rounded wings resemble the shape of a soaring vulture. The red tail may not be visible unless the bird banks and exposes the underside of its tail. For these reasons, red-tailed hawks are sometimes mistaken for small, dark-colored vultures when seen overhead.
Some key features of red-tailed hawks:
- Size: 17-25 inches long, 4-4.5 foot wingspan
- Coloring: Brown above, pale below with reddish tail
- Distinctive features: Broad, rounded wings; fanned red tail
- Location: Year-round across most of North America
American Kestrel
The American kestrel is North America’s smallest falcon. Despite its small size, it shares some physical traits with vultures. American kestrels measure just 9-12 inches long but have an impressive wingspan of around 2 feet. They have sleek, pointed wings and long, fan-like tails. Their coloring can appear rather vulture-like. American kestrels have reddish-brown backs and wings and pale underparts with black spots. The male kestrel’s gray head lacks feathers, resembling the bare head of a vulture. In flight, the American kestrel’s small body size, long tail, and dark back can initially cause observers to mistake if for a petite vulture.
Some key features of American kestrels:
- Size: 9-12 inches long, 2 foot wingspan
- Coloring: Reddish-brown back; pale underparts; males have blue-gray heads
- Distinctive features: North America’s smallest falcon; long tail; pointed wings
- Location: Found year-round throughout much of North and South America
Key Features of Vultures
Vultures share some key physical and behavioral features that distinguish them from smaller raptors. Using these traits can help correctly identify vultures versus birds that simply resemble small vultures.
| Vulture Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | Very large; over 2 feet tall and 4-6 foot wingspans |
| Head | Most have bald or nearly featherless heads |
| Beak | Large, thick, and hooked at the tip for tearing flesh |
| Wings | Long, broad, and rounded |
| Flight Style | Soar for hours without flapping wings |
| Feet | Weak feet, not adapted for grasping prey |
| Behavior | Scavengers that feed exclusively on carrion |
Differences Between Vultures and Similar Birds
The following table summarizes some of the main differences between vultures and smaller raptors that may be mistaken for small vultures at first glance:
| Vultures | Black Vultures | Turkey Vultures | Red-Tailed Hawks | American Kestrels | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Very large; 25-37 inches; 6-7 foot wingspan | Smaller; 23-27 inches; 5-5.5 foot wingspan | Medium-large; 25-32 inches; 5-6 foot wingspan | Medium; 17-25 inches; 3-4.5 foot wingspan | Very small; 9-12 inches; 2 foot wingspan |
| Color | Mostly black with bare head | All black | Brownish-black with red head | Brown above, pale below with red tail | Reddish-brown back, pale underparts |
| Head | Bald | Gray, wrinkled skin | Red, wrinkled, no feathers | Fully feathered | Male has partial gray bare skin |
| Beak | Long, thick, hooked | Shorter, more slender | Shorter, more slender | Short but robust | Small and short |
| Prey | Scavengers; eat carrion | Scavengers; eat carrion | Scavengers; eat carrion | Hunt rodents, rabbits, reptiles | Hunt insects, rodents, small birds |
Conclusion
While turkey vultures, black vultures, red-tailed hawks, and American kestrels may initially resemble miniature versions of larger vulture species, key differences in size, proportions, plumage, flying style, and feeding habits separate them from true vultures. Vultures are uniquely adapted scavengers, with very large body sizes and wingspans exceeding 6 feet. The species profiled here are smaller raptors with distinct colors, patterns, shapes, and predatory lifestyles unlike vultures. Knowing the key attributes of each species makes it easier to distinguish lookalike birds that may be mistaken for small vultures at first glance. Proper identification requires going beyond superficial appearances to compare specific physical, behavioral, and ecological traits. With practice, birders can quickly recognize the characteristics that differentiate true vultures from similarly shaped raptors.
