Are These Hawks Flying Above Me?

[Chickenjocky]

Are these hawks. There are 22 flying above my backyard chicken coop. They soared above not flapping their wings at all.

I live in Des Moines Iowa. Please help identify.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Those are Turkey Vultures

 

[Aschenfire]

Yep, scavengers. Vultures, not hawks.

 

[Amy S]

I have those as well. Those pictures look like they could have been taken from my own backyard last week. Heh.

I thought I read somewhere that their feet/claws will not allow them to carry off prey, even if they wanted to?? (hope so)

 

[Suzierd]

If they keep circling the same area theres something dead nearby they're after.

 

[Amy S]

Yep. Just read that the beak and talons are the weakest of all the vulture species, resulting in their inability to catch and hold onto even small prey.

 

[animals1981]

harmless

 

[Kev]

or migrating through. They often travel collectively and can/will migrate by rising on a thermal and gliding over to the next thermal.. it's their way of saving energy while trying to travel a maximum distance. perhaps your place has good conduction for thermals.

 

[Nambroth]

Yep! 100% sure that they're turkey vultures. They are harmless and do a wealth of beneficial cleanup!