Turkey Vultures go through several distinct phases as they mature from chick to adult. The appearance of an immature Turkey Vulture can vary considerably depending on its exact age.
Newly Hatched Chicks
Turkey Vulture chicks hatch with only a light covering of natal down. Their skin appears dark gray or even black. Their beak is a pinkish-gray hue rather than the bright orange of the adult. The eyes are a dark brown.
Turkey Vulture chicks are altricial, meaning they hatch in an underdeveloped state and require extensive care and feeding by the parents. They are essentially immobile at birth, only able to lift their heads slightly. Their eyes are open but they cannot focus well initially.
2-3 Weeks Old
At around 2-3 weeks of age, the chick develops a white downy covering across most of its body. The skin on the face, throat and feet remains bald and appears blackish or dark gray. The beak remains a pinkish-gray but the eyes lighten to a pale yellowish or horn color.
The chick is still covered by down rather than true feathers. It is able to stand, flap its wings and walk short distances, but still requires brooding and feeding by the parents.
5-6 Weeks Old
By 5-6 weeks of age, the chick has sprouted juvenile flight feathers on the wings and tail. The body is still covered in white downy feathers but now appears speckled due to the juvenile feathers growing in.
The feet remain bald and dark-hued but the beak begins to take on a more orange tint. The iris of the eyes has lightened to a pale yellow-horn color rather than dark brown.
The chick is increasingly mobile at this stage. It can walk, hop, flap and begin to feed itself on regurgitated food from the parents. But it is still not yet able to fly.
2-3 Months Old
Around 2-3 months of age, the juvenile vulture has lost much of its downy feathers. The body is covered in gray-brown juvenile plumage with some lingering white down on the head and neck.
The gray-brown juvenile flight feathers now appear much more prominent than the body plumage. The feet remain dark-colored and bare. The eyes are horn-colored and beak orange with a darker tip.
The juvenile bird is fully mobile at this stage and may flap, hop and walk around the nesting area. It is still dependent on parental feeding though starting to tear flesh itself.
4-6 Months Old
From 4-6 months of age, the immature Turkey Vulture has completed the transition to full juvenile plumage. Only scattered bits of down may remain around the head.
The body is covered in dark brown to gray-brown feathers. The flight feathers on the wings and tail are very dark black-brown.
The facial skin begins to yellow as the bird ages, but the feet remain dark grayish in color. The eyes are pale horn-yellow. The beak is a light orange with a darker tip.
Immatures at this stage wander and fly more away from the nest but remain in the care of the parents. They exercise the wings frequently and begin to scavenge more.
9 Months to 2 Years Old
From 9 months to 2 years old, the immature Turkey Vulture goes through gradual transition to adult plumage. The body feathers lighten to brown rather than dark gray-brown. The flight feathers remain black-brown.
Facial skin becomes more yellow but the bare feet are still dark colored. The eyes are yellowish-orange. The beak is orange with a gray cere and tip.
Immatures begin drifting away from the parents but may still return sporadically for feedings. They wander more widely and practice soaring and scavenging skills.
3-4 Years Old
Turkey Vultures reach full maturity around 3-4 years old. The adult has mostly brown body plumage with black flight feathers. The head lacks feathers and is bright red in color with gray on the cere and tip of the orange beak.
The feet are pinkish-gray. The iris of the eye is orange-red. At this point the vulture is independent of the parents and an accomplished soarer and scavenger.
Comparison of Immature and Adult Turkey Vultures
The table below summarizes some of the key differences between immature and adult Turkey Vultures in appearance:
| Feature | Immature Turkey Vulture | Adult Turkey Vulture |
|---|---|---|
| Body Plumage | Dark gray-brown feathers | Brown feathers |
| Flight Feathers | Black-brown | Black |
| Head | Mostly feathered | Bare red skin |
| Facial Skin | Dark gray to yellow | Bright red |
| Feet | Dark gray, no feathers | Pinkish-gray |
| Eyes | Pale yellow to orange | Orange-red |
| Beak | Orange with dark tip | Orange with gray cere and tip |
Conclusion
In summary, immature Turkey Vultures go through distinct developmental phases in their appearance starting from a helpless downy chick to a fully feathered juvenile. It takes 3-4 years for a Turkey Vulture to reach full adult plumage and coloration. The gradual lightening of the body feathers, transition to pinkish feet, bare red head, and brilliant orange eyes are all hallmarks of maturity in this fascinating vulture species.
