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From: corey@homxb.UUCP (C.GEIGER)
Newsgroups: rec.birds,sci.bio
Subject: Re: buzzards vs. vultures
Message-ID: <399@homxb.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 25-Jun-87 13:20:45 EDT
Article-I.D.: homxb.399
Posted: Thu Jun 25 13:20:45 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 27-Jun-87 03:31:57 EDT
References: <773@gryphon.CTS.COM> <942@hoqax.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Holmdel
Lines: 20
Keywords: is there a difference
Summary: Try looking at secondaries.
Xref: mnetor rec.birds:175 sci.bio:477

In article <942@hoqax.UUCP>, qaseb@hoqax.UUCP (BADIAN) writes:
> 
> The two species are the turkey vulture and the black vulture.
>Since I don't live down South where most of the black vultures live
> I don't know if they are called buzzards too. Identification is easy. Turkey
> vultures have red heads while black vultures have black heads. Both species are
> common within their ranges.

Sharon is right on the mark, but I can't see red heads or black heads at
500+ feet.  I lived and birdwatched in the South, and a less subtle
difference is readily apparent in any soaring vulture.  Looking from below,
the primaries and
secondaries of turkey vultures are a light tan colour, whereas the black
vulture's dusting of light tan confines itself to the wingtips.  Turkey
vultures are MUCH more common down South, but the ranges are basically the
same for both birds.  I don't know if the turkey vulture is just more
gregarious or if it is more plentiful.  I would hazard to say both.

Corey Geiger
homxb!corey