Why do vultures circle?

Vultures circle for various reasons, most related to locating food and conserving energy. They ride warm thermal updrafts, effortlessly gaining height without wasting energy. From these lofty vantage points, they survey the ground, sometimes gliding for several hours and covering vast stretches of land in search of food.

Vultures have special adaptations that facilitate soaring and riding on thermals. For example, their wings are large relative to their body weight, which enables them to stay aloft and maneuver efficiently at slow speeds, and are maintained in a slight V-shape, known as a dihedral, which helps with stability, particularly in windy conditions. Vultures also can spread their primary feathers at the wingtips, creating slots that reduce air resistance and help them glide slowly. They also have exceptional eyesight that allows them to detect potential food sources from great distances. Certain species of vultures have additional adaptations, such as turkey vultures, which have a strong sense of smell that aids in locating food hidden beneath the forest canopy.

Circling also serves as a signal to other vultures. When one vulture locates food and circles above it, others in the vicinity may notice the circling and join in. This behavior ensures that multiple vultures can share a large food source. In such instances, vultures adhere to a strict social order based on size and beak strength, with larger, stronger individuals tearing open hides and feeding on tough tissues and smaller individuals following after to feed on exposed soft tissues.