Turkey vultures appear to hear a dinner bell in the South Okanagan.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Les W Dewar
July 04, 2025 - 4:00 AM
The unsavoury appearance of turkey vultures never fails to entertain and their behaviours are no less surprising.
The vultures can be spotted in the Thompson-Okanagan region between April and September, flying, perching, squabbling amongst themselves and eating dead flesh.
While they might not be the prettiest of the birds, the bald red-headed vultures play a valuable role in the ecosystem, and they have fascinating skills and traits.
Turkey vultures lower the spread of diseases by eating carrion including washed up dead fish and roadkill, which they can detect the odours of from great distances, according to Bird Advisors.
Turkey vultures squabble over a favourite perch in Kelowna.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Robin Ottenbreit
The birds have powerful beaks to rip the flesh apart and a strong stomach acid that allows them to eat the bacteria-laden carcasses.
The vultures keep themselves cool by urinating on themselves and will escape predators by vomiting to make a distraction, or pretend to be dead.
The birds don’t have vocal organs so will make hissing and grunting sounds to communicate with one another.
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A turkey vulture flies over a field in the Kamloops area.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Doug Giles
A turkey vulture appears to be waiting for a train in Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Stephen James
A turkey vulture spreads its wings among two eagles in Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Stephen James
A turkey vulture perches on a fence post in Kelowna.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Marj Andre
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