What Is a Group of Turkey Vultures Called? Depends What It's Doing

The name for a group of turkey vultures depends on what they’re doing. When resting on the ground or in trees, a group of vultures is called a "committee," whereas a group feeding on a carcass is known as a "wake" But when soaring together in flight, they’re called a "kettle."

These terms also apply to other vultures and large birds. Seeing a wake of turkey vultures near a carcass might look grim, but it’s all part of nature’s clean-up crew at work.

Turkey vultures (scientific name Cathartes aura) are a species of New World vultures with an excellent sense of smell—rare among birds. They can detect dead animals from over a mile (1.6 km) away by picking up gases from rotting flesh.

With a wingspan of up to 6 feet (1.8 m) and pale undersides on their flight feathers—which gives a two-toned appearance that helps camouflage them against the bright sky—turkey vultures soar using thermals (rising warm air currents).

This lets them travel long distances without flapping their wings.

Unlike the black vulture, which relies more on sight and flies in tighter groups, turkey vultures are known for their solitary or loose pair behavior. However, they form congregations or wakes around food sources or in communal roosts.

They feed almost exclusively on carrion (dead animals) and rarely kill live prey. Their bald heads and strong stomach acid help prevent the spread of parasites and disease from the food they eat.

They're an essential, if underappreciated, part of wildlife communities across the Americas.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.