The red-headed vulture or turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is the most widespread bird in the New World vulture family (Cathartidae). Its range extends from southern Canada to Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost tip of South America, and overlaps the habitat of the other American vultures, including the small and large yellow-headed vulture and the black vulture.The habitat of the red-headed vulture consists of a variety of open and semi-open terrains. It forages for a large part of the day, using thermals as much as possible. The red-headed vulture is a scavenger that feeds almost exclusively on carcasses. It finds them not only by sight, as all vultures do, but also by smell. The red-headed vulture is able to distinguish the gases released during decomposition from a great distance. This allows it to find even small and well-hidden carcasses, filling an important niche in its ecosystem.
I am Maarten Verhees. The focus of my photographs is on the variation of architecture, animals and people. I try to capture the essence of local places in photographs... Read more…