Cathartes aura

This Turkey Vulture was photographed flying along the coast just north of Cappahayden (Avalon Peninsula) on January 16, 2020 and seen hanging out in nearby Renews over the next few weeks. (Photo: Jared Clarke, January 16 2020)

Status: Rare (Less than Annual)

Origins: The most widespread vulture in the Americas, ranging from southern Canada (including the Maritime provinces) to South America.

Record Details: There is a growing number of confirmed records for Newfoundland. (1) A specimen was collected from Renews in the fall 1905 (later lost in a fire), (2) and another from St. Anthony (precise year TBD). (3) One was observed on several occasions in the Codroy Valley between June 10-21, 2001. (4) A moribund individual was picked up at Lamaline (Burin Peninsula) on January 22, 2016 and housed at the Salmonier Nature Park (subsequent details TBD).

A rash of sightings were reported (some documented, others unconfirmed but convincing) across the island starting in summer 2018. It is difficult to know how many individuals may have been involved, but some reports almost certainly pertain the same individual moving around. In 2018, separate reports came from a visiting birder in Grates Cove (June 21), park staff at Terra Nova National Park (August) and Glovertown (September 7). In 2019, an individual was photographed near Trinity (April 13-14). A few weeks later, an individual was first reported by park staff near La Manche Provincial Park and subsequently seen by many birders (May 28 – June 2). An individual was then photographed at the northern tip of the island in St. Anthony on July 31 and another from Marystown on October 3-4. There were periodic reports of (presumably) one in and around St. John’s from November 5 – December 10. Sadly, an individual was caught in a fox snare near Clarenville on November 14. In 2020, an individual was photographed between Bear Cove and Cappahayden on January 16, and presumably the same bird was seen and photographed hanging out in nearby Renews in early February. Most recently, an individual was reported near Lamaline (Burin Peninsula) on June 23, 2023.

Other compelling (but unconfirmed) descriptions have also come forward, including Terra Nova National Park in June 2001 and the Codroy Valley again in September 2010. There are a few records for Labrador, including one at the unexpectedly northern location of Hopedale in August 1994!

* NOTE – This website is not an official account and “may” contain incorrect information and/or details of unconfirmed records. *