The entire body is brownish or gray-black and the underwing is two-toned silver and black. Recently fledged juveniles have gray heads and dark beaks. In addition the skin on a Turkey vulture’s head is oily so that material will slip off of it. The turkey vulture is dark brown with more feather-edging of light brown; the underside of its flight feathers and tail are gray. With increasing natural and vehicle-induced deer mortality, plenty of vulture food is available. Black vultures have fatter, more paddle-like wings and a shorter, more fanned tail. Mature Turkey Vultures have dark plumage and featherless red heads; the undersides of the flight feathers are paler. The wings of the black vulture are merely tipped in white. This is the face of a black vulture. I suspect that a lot of people tend to lump these birds together if they think about… In flight. There are two species of vulture that show up in southern Arizona, the Turkey Vulture and the Black Vulture. Black Vultures have black plumage, bare black heads, and white patches under their primary feathers. I suspect that a lot of people tend to lump these birds together if they think about… Turkey Vulture vs Black Vulture both are quite different from each other and hence can be compared based on their characteristics like their behavior, habitat, breeding pattern etc. Flight Patterns of Vultures and What They Mean to Aircraft . Because of their large size, limited ability to make evasive flight maneuvers, and tendency to fly in groups, black vultures and turkey vultures can cause serious damage to aircraft. In our area, when you see a big, huge bird soaring above you it is most likely a vulture, so look for identifying characteristics such as the flight pattern, and the size, color, and shape of the wings. There are two species of vulture that show up in southern Arizona, the Turkey Vulture and the Black Vulture. In flight, the Vulture’s featherless head appears small for the bird’s size. Turkey vultures are larger than black vultures, but they’re no match for a group working together. Commonly, you will see vultures from below. It seems there’s enough roadkill to go around. Their faces are gray or black. What it looks like: Black Vultures are readily distinguished from Turkey Vultures at a distance by their flight pattern: wings are held horizontally rather than in a V shape and wing beats are stiff and rapid, rather than loose and leisurely. Bigger than other raptors except eagles and condors, they have long "fingers" at their wingtips and long tails that extend past their toe tips in flight. Color Pattern Turkey Vultures appear black from a distance but up close are dark brown with a featherless red head and pale bill. The Black Vulture in flight is stunning and you can recognize the bird by its distinctive white wing tips. Both Turkey vultures and Black vultures have bald heads. Turkey vultures are larger than black vultures, but they’re no match for a group working together. It is known to regurgitate when approached or disturbed, which assists in predator deterrence and taking flight by decreasing its takeoff weight. Note how the white extends across the entire wing. When they’re soaring, turkey vultures have long, narrow wings and a relatively longer tail. Although the turkey vulture is on the losing end of these interactions, so far there’s no sign it’s affecting their population numbers which, like the black vultures, continue to increase.