Wow that is really unbelievable! A vulture?! I bet I would be shook by its size too! I have read that similar birds can have enormous wingspans up to 7 feet (2.3 meters?) but I still can't imagine that in real life. Being carrion feeders it makes sense that they would stink but It's surprising to hear from actual experience! So did it have a bald head?
The purpose for this adaptation found in different birds (such as condors as well) is to keep the head (relatively) clean and free of residue from their meals