How Do You Tell The Difference Between A Soaring Turkey Vulture And Bald Eagle?
High-flying turkey vultures and bald eagles can look very similar to us ground dwellers. Here is a fool-proof way to tell the difference between them. No binoculars needed! Look for a head. If the soaring bird looks headless it is probably a mature bald eagle with the white head and tail. The white head often “gets lost” to our eyes in the bright sky. Eagles mature into their white heads and tails after about 4 or 5 years, before that they are entirely brown (with some white streaks, but look brown while soaring). Both raptors often soar in the air riding high on thermals. Turkey vultures are looking for delectable carnage to snack on while bald eagles dine on a diet mostly of fish. Look at the angle of the wings, you’ll get the best view when the bird is flying towards or away from you. If the bird’s wings are straight across (see image) it is a bald eagle. If the bird’s wings make a “V” shape (see image) it is a turkey vulture.
