Vultures are a common sight in Colorado, often signaling the end of winter. These large, dark birds are scavengers, meaning they feed on carrion, playing a significant part in the ecosystem by removing decaying animal matter. Colorado hosts two species, though one is far more prevalent than the other. Understanding the differences between these species and their habits is the best way to observe these unique birds in the state’s diverse landscapes.
The Primary Vulture of Colorado: The Turkey Vulture
The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) is the dominant and most widely distributed vulture species found across Colorado. Its presence is so common it is often considered a harbinger of spring, as it is a migratory species that returns to the state for the warmer months. These birds are identifiable by their large size, with a wingspan up to six feet, and their distinctive adult appearance featuring a featherless, reddish-pink head.
The Turkey Vulture is an exceptional glider, using thermal updrafts and air currents to soar effortlessly. When viewed in the sky, their wings are held in a shallow “V” shape, known as a dihedral, which causes them to appear to wobble or tip as they ride the air. This species possesses an unusually keen sense of smell, allowing them to detect decaying animal matter from great distances. They prefer to forage in open areas, such as along roadsides or over rangelands, but they will roost and nest in secluded spots like rocky cliffs, caves, and hollow logs throughout the state’s canyons and foothills.
Identifying Vulture Types: Distinguishing Features and Rare Sightings
While the Turkey Vulture is common, Colorado is occasionally visited by a second, less common species: the Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus). Black Vultures are typically residents of the southeastern United States and Central America, meaning sightings in Colorado are considered rare or accidental, often occurring in the state’s southern regions. Distinguishing between the two species is relatively straightforward.
The Black Vulture is slightly smaller than the Turkey Vulture, and its overall appearance is a solid black, including its head and neck, which are dark gray and featherless. In flight, the Black Vulture holds its broad, shorter wings mostly flat, and it must flap its wings more frequently than the Turkey Vulture to maintain altitude. A key visual identifier for the Black Vulture is the presence of white or silvery patches only near the tips of the undersides of their wings. Unlike the Turkey Vulture, the Black Vulture relies more on its keen eyesight and will often follow Turkey Vultures to a food source, as its sense of smell is less developed.
Seasonal Presence and Prime Viewing Locations
Vultures in Colorado are migratory birds, meaning their presence is highly seasonal, typically arriving in the spring and departing in the fall. Turkey Vultures generally return to the state between late March and early April and remain through October, before migrating south to warmer regions like the Gulf Coast and Central America for the winter. Spotting them often requires observing the sky during the warmest parts of the day when thermal currents are strongest.
The Front Range foothills provide excellent viewing opportunities, as the sun warms the rocks and creates the updrafts that the birds use for soaring. Castlewood Canyon State Park, south of Denver, is noted for hosting a substantial Turkey Vulture population, which can be seen riding the air currents above the canyon walls. Other reliable locations include the foothills areas near Boulder and the expansive, open skies of the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado, particularly during the spring and fall migration periods. Watching for a group of vultures circling high in the sky, known as a “kettle,” is a strong indication that they have located a thermal column and are preparing to search for carrion below.