Bird field guide · New World Vultures

Photographing the Turkey Vulture

How to photograph the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (April and May).

60–80 cm1/2500–1/3200 s
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Photo: © Seig, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Seig via iNaturalist
60–80 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2500–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/6.3–f/8
Aperture
238,997
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2500–1/3200 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionFor flight shots use wide-area tracking and +0.3 to +1 EV against bright sky.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens300–500 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 70 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)83 mm125 mm56 mm42 mm
10 m (33 ft)167 mm251 mm111 mm83 mm
15 m (49 ft)250 mm376 mm167 mm125 mm
20 m (66 ft)334 mm501 mm223 mm167 mm
30 m (98 ft)501 mm752 mm334 mm250 mm
50 m (164 ft)834 mm1,253 mm556 mm417 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 6% Jan Feb: 6% Feb Mar: 10% Mar Apr: 14% Apr May: 11% May Jun: 8% Jun Jul: 7% Jul Aug: 8% Aug Sep: 9% Sep Oct: 7% Oct Nov: 6% Nov Dec: 6% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: April and May.

About the Turkey Vulture#

The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), also known in some North American regions as the turkey buzzard (or just buzzard), and in some areas of the Caribbean as the John crow or carrion crow, is the most widespread of the New World vultures. One of three species in the genus Cathartes of the family Cathartidae, the turkey vulture ranges from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. It inhabits a variety of open and semi-open...

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Thermals mid-morning; easy flight-photo practice.
  • For flight shots use wide-area tracking and +0.3 to +1 EV against bright sky.
  • Sightings peak in April and May, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More New World Vultures#

Black Vulture Black VultureCoragyps atratus California Condor California CondorGymnogyps californianus

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Turkey Vulture?

At about 70 cm long, a turkey vulture fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 167 mm, or at 20 m with 334 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Turkey Vulture?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Turkey Vulture?

Observations in North America peak in April and May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources