What is this? Turkey Vulture with a Band-Aid? (1 Viewer)

[MelospizaMelodiaFan]

These photos were taken 26 May 2023 in San Leandro, CA. Only today did I notice something funny on the vulture's head. It looks like some kind of bandage to me. Does anyone know what this is?

Could it be some kind of avian flu related activity? I heard they were testing vaccines for condors on turkey vultures.

 

[Butty]

something funny on the vulture's head. It looks like some kind of bandage

Not sure what you're referring to: the pale area on the crown? the pale bill-base contrasting with its dark tip? If you check photos of TVs you'll see they have a lot of variability, so I don't see anything particularly unusual here.

 

[MelospizaMelodiaFan]

Not sure what you're referring to: the pale area on the crown? the pale bill-base contrasting with its dark tip? If you check photos of TVs you'll see they have a lot of variability, so I don't see anything particularly unusual here.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I was referring to the pale area on the crown. There is such a contrast; I usually see patches of black up there.

Here is another photo I found online, perhaps it is similar to this condition, just exacerbated by the grain in my photo.

 

[nartreb]

Pale warty-looking bumps are pretty common on the bare skin of turkey vultures. I don't know what causes them.