Turkey vultures are one of my favorite birds. I generally have a soft spot for the disparaged and underappreciated. However, for turkey vultures, my love for them comes down more to how they are perfectly suited for their actions: structure suits function. These beautiful (yeah, I said “beautiful”) birds are highly specialized. Their “naked” head is free of feathers, causing some to malign these majestic creatures for their wrinkly pink heads (the original skin heads). A head free of feathers allows this bird to feed on carrion without pesky feathers getting in the way or becoming contaminated.