What primary sense do vultures rely on while hunting?

Vultures primarily rely on their sense of sight, not smell, when searching for food. Their excellent vision allows them to spot carrion from great heights as they soar in the sky. While some vulture species, such as the turkey vulture, have a keen sense of smell that they use to locate decaying animals, the predominant method for most vultures in finding food is based on their ability to see other scavengers feeding or to identify the landscape from above. Therefore, vision is a critical skill that informs them of potential food sources far below, making it an essential aspect of their hunting strategy.

While hearing and touch play roles in a bird's overall sensory experience, they are not the primary senses vultures use to locate their meals. This is particularly important to recognize, as it highlights the adaptations vultures have developed to thrive in their ecological niche. Understanding these sensory capabilities enhances the broader knowledge of avian behavior and the specific ecological functions vultures fulfill.