Turkey Vulture Healing From Likely Collision

Editor’s Note: The Turkey Vulture is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.

The Turkey Vulture is a highly recognizable and widespread bird of prey, known for its dark plumage, featherless head, and impressive wingspan of up to six feet. Common across North and South America, these scavengers play a crucial ecological role by cleaning up carrion and helping prevent the spread of diseases. Unlike many birds, Turkey Vultures have a strong sense of smell, allowing them to locate food from far distances. They often fly with their wings in a shallow V shape, thermal soaring as they search for food.

This Turkey Vulture patient (24-4508) was admitted after it was found unable to fly, lying on the side of the road, likely due to a car collision. After initial examination, the bird showed mild dehydration, abrasions on the face, beak, and right foot, and a palpable fracture on its keel (a bone in the chest area essential for flight). The patient also demonstrated limping on its left leg. The vulture was put on pain and anti-inflammatory medications to help with pain, bruising, and swelling.

The patient began showing progress but still struggled to walk. However, the vulture is bearing weight more evenly on its feet and attempting to move around more in the enclosure. The patient is now eating independently, and staff are weening it off its medications. The culture’s mobility will continue to be monitored and assessed for movement to an outdoor enclosure.

As tourist season begins and an influx of population arises in Southwest Florida, more and more wildlife is admitted to wildlife centers like CROW from human-induced accidents, like vehicle collisions. We ask the public to abide by speed limits and check for wildlife crossing to limit the number of patients we see hit by cars, like this turkey vulture.