Mortisha (Not on Display) was acquired November 10, 2002 .  Mortisha was found in the wild running around on the ground in the begining of November. Since Turkey Vultures fly south for the winter, it was unusual for her to still be here. She was brought to a rehabilitation centre in Orillia and it was determined that she was on the ground because she had broken her wing and it had healed imprperly. Since she is no longer able to fly she is unreleaseable. She will stay here at the Muskoka Wildlife Centre and be a companion for Barfalomew, our other Turkey Vulture.

Turkey Vulture (Catharies aura)

Dining and Dwelling

Can been found drifting inside thermals (columns of sun-warmed air rising from the land below), perched on dead trees, posts, carrion and even the ground. Turkey vultures are Ontario’s clean-up crew, eating carrion (meat from diseased animals). They can be found eating the rankest carrion and suffer no ill effects from ingesting it.

Life and Death

Turkey Vultures do not construct nests for their eggs, they instead find a sheltered area on the ground, on a rock cliff, or even in an abandoned building or shed. They lay 2 brownish speckled, white eggs and after hatching the chicks require 2.5 months to fledge. Although the nests of these birds are usually inaccessible, the parents have one final defense should an intruder – like a meddlesome bird watcher - get too close. They regurgitate with an uncanny accuracy, spewing forth the partially digested rotting meat they most recently fed upon.

That's Amazing

- It is generally believed that the Turkey Vulture has the best sense of smell in the world.

-It is also believed that this bird is the most graceful bird in the world when in flight.