Turkey Vultures that live in the southern United States may be year-round residents. The ones that reside in the northeast migrate to North Carolina through Louisiana. Western birds migrate much farther, with some reaching Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador after passing through Central America.

Turkey vultures are often symbols of purification and renewal  due to their role in the natural ecosystem as scavengers. They are seen as important for cleaning up and recycling dead animals, representing the cycle of life and death. Others see them as a bad omen because they are so closely associated with death.

Turkey vultures are skilled scavengers with a keen sense of smell. They eat various types of meat, including mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. They prefer fresh carcasses but can wait for them to decompose. Turkey vultures have strong immune systems and stomach acids that protect them from diseases associated with decaying flesh. 

Turkey Vultures are commonly sighted in open areas such as mixed farmland, forest, and rangeland. They can also be seen along roadsides and at landfills. At night, they seek roosting spots in trees, on rocks, or other elevated and secluded locations.

Turkey Vultures choose a variety of nesting sites, including rock crevices, burrows, logs, and abandoned structures. Because these sites are cooler and isolated from human activity. They do not construct elaborate nests but may clear a spot or arrange vegetation. The chosen nest sites can be used for over a decade. Turkey vultures have 1-3 eggs and 1 brood.

Turkey vultures are ecologically important as scavengers. By eating carcases they help prevent disease spread, and maintain clean ecosystems. They also serve as indicator species, reflecting the health of ecosystems.

Turkey vulture don't have a larynx so they can only make hissing noises that sound like paper ripping.