Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) are large, iconic birds found throughout North and South America. They are perhaps best known for their scavenging habits, circling high in the sky searching for carrion to feed on. Turkey Vultures are almost exclusively silent, which makes their means of communication something of a mystery. In this article, we’ll take a close look at Turkey Vulture vocalizations and sounds. We’ll discuss what purposes these sounds serve, why the birds are generally so quiet, and how their various calls, hisses, and bill snaps help them find food and interact.
Why Are Turkey Vultures So Quiet?
Turkey Vultures are among the most silent of all bird species. Even at nesting colonies containing dozens or hundreds of the birds, an eerie quiet persists. There are several reasons why Turkey Vultures make so little noise:
- They have no syrinx. The syrinx is the vocal organ in birds, located at the bifurcation of the trachea. Lacking this organ, Turkey Vultures cannot sing or make complex vocalizations.
- There is no need for vocal communication when searching for carrion. Turkey Vultures search solitarily and have keen eyesight, so they do not need to call out to each other when scavenging.
- At carcasses, Turkey Vultures do not directly compete with each other for food. Once one bird locates food, others are attracted to the site. They feed calmly and do not need to vocally claim the food.
- Turkey Vulture hearing is only average, so vocal communication is not effective over long distances.
Turkey Vulture Sounds
Though generally silent, Turkey Vultures do make some noises to communicate in certain situations. These include:
Low Hissing
The most common Turkey Vulture vocalization is a low hissing sound. This is thought to communicate mild disturbance or stress. For example, a vulture might hiss at another bird that encroaches on its space at a carcass. The hiss signals discomfort and communicates that the other bird is too close. Hissing may also advertise a Turkey Vulture’s presence at a carcass, potentially attracting mates and signaling that food is available.
Bill Clacking
Turkey Vultures can produce a rapid clacking sound with their bill. This functions as a threat display toward intruding vultures when feeding or at the nest. Bill clicking signals aggression and alerts the other bird to retreat. Turkey Vultures orient their head downward and vigorously snap their mandibles together when bill clacking.
Begging Calls
Turkey Vulture chicks (called nestlings) make hissing, wheezing begging calls from the nest. These sounds summon the adults to provide food. The hissing and whistling sounds are the only vocalizations made by younger birds.
Alarm Call
When approached at the nest, adult Turkey Vultures may issue a rapid, barking frrrt call. This functions as an alarm call to communicate danger to the nestlings and perhaps summon the mate for defense.
Roosting Rumble
At communal roost sites, Turkey Vultures may make a low rumbling din. The purpose of this is uncertain. It may maintain social contact or coordinate roosting activities.
Turkey Vulture Sounds at the Nest
The nest is the only place viewers are likely to hear Turkey Vultures make any array of sounds. Here is what to listen for:
- Nestlings will make drawn-out hissing and whistling begging calls.
- Adults may hiss to signal mild agitation if a nest is approached too closely.
- A barking alarm call may be made to communicate danger.
- Bill snapping/clacking by adults functions as an aggressive/defensive display.
- Gentle grunting or rumbling may occur between mates.
Aside from nests, the only vocalizations heard from Turkey Vultures are typically single hisses when birds are disturbed. Generally though, they are silent at carcasses, in flight, and when roosting.
Why Turkey Vultures Make Noise
| Sound | Context | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Hissing | At carcass or roost | Signals mild disturbance/stress |
| Bill clacking | At carcass or nest | Aggressive signal to other vultures |
| Begging calls | Nestlings at nest | Get parents to deliver food |
| Alarm call | Adults when nest is approached | Warn nestlings of danger |
| Roosting rumble | Communal roost | Maintain social contact |
As this table summarizes, the few sounds made by Turkey Vultures serve important purposes related to feeding, nesting, and social interactions. Though not vocal birds, the key contexts in which Turkey Vultures communicate acoustically are important to understand.
Conclusion
In summary, Turkey Vultures are largely silent birds owing to their scavenging lifestyle and anatomy. However, they do make a variety of sounds in key contexts, mainly involving defense of carcasses and nest sites. Typical Turkey Vulture noises include hisses, bill snapping, begging calls from nestlings, alarm calls, and rumbling at the roost. While Turkey Vultures are not songbirds, listening for their vocalizations provides insight into their behavior and forms of communication. Paying attention to Turkey Vulture sounds allows birders and biologists to better understand their activities and interactions.
