The Turkey Vulture is a large bird. It has a wingspan of 170–183 cm), a length of 64–81 cm, and weight of 0.85–2.26 kg It has dark brown to black plumage; a featherless, purplish-red head and neck; and a short, hooked, ivory-colour beak. Its life expectancy in the wild ranges upward of 16 years, with a captive life span of over 20 years being possible.
