Does a turkey vulture have a vestigial structure?

Answer 1

Yes, turkey vultures possess vestigial structures, notably their small, non-functional feathers on the wings. These feathers are remnants of ancestral traits and serve little purpose in their current lifestyle, which is primarily adapted for soaring and scavenging. While their keen sense of smell and excellent vision are highly developed for locating carrion, the vestigial feathers do not contribute significantly to their survival or behavior today.