The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) is a common sight across the Americas, known for its distinctive soaring flight and its vital role as a scavenger that cleans the environment of carrion. Unlike many other large birds of prey, this raptor is noticeably silent, a characteristic that often surprises people familiar with the loud calls of hawks or eagles. The general answer to whether Turkey Vultures make noise is yes, but their sound production is severely limited, lacking the complex, far-reaching calls typical of most avian species. These birds primarily rely on their exceptional sense of smell and sight to locate food, not on vocal communication.
The Physiological Reason for Quiet
The absence of loud vocalizations in the Turkey Vulture is rooted entirely in its unique anatomy. Most birds produce sound using an organ called the syrinx, a specialized voice box located at the base of the trachea where it branches into the lungs. The syrinx allows songbirds to create intricate, melodic songs and other birds to produce loud, varied calls. New World vultures, including the Turkey Vulture, possess a highly reduced syrinx that lacks the complex muscular structure necessary for sophisticated sound production.
Dissections of the Turkey Vulture’s trachea have confirmed the absence of a syringeal drum, which is a structure often linked to vocalization in other species. The trachea branches into two bronchi, much like in mammals, but without the flexible, vibrating membranes that generate noise in typical bird calls. This structural limitation means the Turkey Vulture is physically incapable of emitting anything more than low, throaty noises. The voiceless condition is therefore a matter of biological structure.
The Vulture’s Limited Vocalizations
Turkey Vultures do produce simple, close-range sounds that serve a practical purpose. The most common vocalization is a low, guttural hiss, which is often used as a defensive or warning sound. This hiss is typically deployed when the bird feels threatened, is cornered in a nest site, or is aggressively competing with other vultures over a carcass.
The other primary sound made by these birds is a low grunt or snort. Vultures use grunts in various contexts, such as during courtship rituals or when they are jostling for position at a feeding site. Young vultures will also use a nasal whine or grunt to signal to their parents that they are hungry. These basic, non-melodic sounds are generally quiet and only audible when the listener is in close proximity to the bird.
Sounds Beyond the Throat
While the Turkey Vulture is mostly silent in terms of vocal calls, it does create noise through physical means. The most recognizable sound associated with a soaring vulture is the audible whooshing or rushing noise of its wings in flight. This sound is particularly noticeable when the bird is flying at a low altitude, maneuvering for a landing, or passing close overhead. The sheer size of the wingspan, which can reach up to six feet, generates this distinct sound as the feathers cut through the air.
When a vulture feels threatened on the ground, other non-vocal sounds may be produced as part of a defensive display. The bird may stomp its feet or rapidly snap its beak, creating a clacking noise to startle a potential predator. These mechanical noises are part of the bird’s limited auditory repertoire used to communicate danger or establish dominance.