Poleward Expansion of Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura): Insights from a Species Distribution Model and Future Projections

Understanding the implications of global change, our study forecasts the poleward expansion of Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) distribution. Analyzing eBird data and utilizing a species distribution model, we project an increased presence during the breeding season in North and South America by 2070. Temperature and human density emerged as key factors, indicating a potential shift in the Turkey Vulture’s range due to warmer winters and lower human density in agricultural areas. This expansion raises concerns for the scavenging community in northern latitudes, impacting species dependent on carrion.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *