June 18th, 2006
vulture culture
Continuing with sightings from yesterday’s hike . . . .
Although they may not qualify as the most elegant of birds, Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) are interesting nonetheless. We found this small group along a quiet road while on our way home yesterday. About twenty years ago, we rarely saw vultures — just the odd group circling high above a couple of stretches of highway in the upper Ottawa Valley. Now, they’re quite a regular sight throughout our region, and annual hawk watch statistics from southern Ontario reflect an increasing population in recent years. Some people claim that the increase is due to more and larger dumps where these birds can scavenge. However, I don’t share that opinion. If anything, I believe there are fewer sites where birds would have easy access to garbage as most refuse is now rapidly crushed and covered. I believe the increase in vultures is linked more to the rising number of road-killed animals which provide food for these scavengers.
Turkey vultures are most often seen in groups of three or more, circling high above roadways which they patrol in search of food. Soaring and drifting, their wings form a pronounced dihedral. They may stay airborne for hours, expending very little energy as they ride the thermals, often swiftly and gracefully moving through many miles of airspace. Occasionally, they are encountered moving about on the ground. On foot, they are a different creature as they awkwardly lumber about while picking or tugging at a roadkill. They are timid and when disturbed by an approaching vehicle, will often abandon their meal, clumsily flapping their huge wings as they struggle to rise to a nearby tree to patiently wait until the danger is past.
Vultures are social birds and may sometimes be found roosting together as in the above photo. They often nest in sheltered caves or cracks in rock formations. I’ve heard of a couple of nest sites in abandoned sheds or houses. The adults are almost entirely black, but with silvery flight feathers when viewed from beneath. The adults have red, featherless heads, while the juveniles have dark heads. I suspect that the vulture in the photo below (also taken yesterday), is a juvenile bird. Before they fledge, hatchling vultures are fuzzy and white with dark heads. The Sibley Guide to Birds states that adult vultures have a wingspan of 67 inches and a weight of 4 pounds (1.8 kgs).
My closest encounter with a vulture, aside from frequent sightings along roadsides, occurred several years ago while I was working in my garden. It was a very misty morning and my dog was lying on the lawn about 20 feet from where I was weeding. All of a sudden, I heard a faint whoosh and looked up to see a huge black bird slowly drifting a few feet above my head, tilting its wings and body slightly to one side as it gave my sleeping dog a brief perusal before disappearing off into the fog. I remember being impressed by its almost silent flight. While soaring or drifting, these birds really are quite magnificent in spite of their rather homely features.
Tags: Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura
June 18th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
I cannot see a Turkey Vulture and not think of Ed Abbey who wished to come back as one. If it’s possible, I’m sure he did.
Just yesterday I saw the first one mobbed I have ever witnessed. Two Red-winged Blackbirds were hassling it. The only reason I can think of was for practice.
Always think of that New Yorker cartoon years and years ago with two Turkey Vultures sitting in a tree together. One looks at the other one and says, “To hell with patience. I’m going to kill something.”
Really enjoy your blog.
Edge of the Earth Rd.
Lexington, OK
June 18th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Phil – Very interesting about the RW Blackbirds mobbing a vulture. Now that you mention it, I’ve never seen any birds mobbing vultures, although I have seen the odd one fly after a vulture — presumably because it flew somewhere close to the bird’s nest.
I believe I’ve seen that cartoon that you’ve mentioned.
And thanks for the reference to Ed Abbey. If i recall, he wrote of vultures quite a few times – and you’re right, if possible, he might well have come back as one.
Thanks for your comments! – bev
June 18th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
When we were on our recent road trip to California we noticed vultures all along the 900 mile journey. They were circling the interstates all day long. Of course, we saw the reasons for their interest– the roadkill on the side of the highway. I think I saw a crew removing a dead horse, but we drove by so quickly dpr thought it might have been a cow. Whatever it was, it was HUGE.
My closest encounter with a vulture came many years ago. I was living on a small sheep farm in central Oregon. One morning I looked out the window and saw what appeared to be a sheep lying down in the meadow. So, I went out to investigate. When I got there I saw that the sheep had died giving birth, the lamb was partially born, but dead as well. I stood there for a second when something caught my eye. A very large vulture walked out from behind a tree and started to come toward the scene. With its featherless head, shoulders hunched up, and that slow approach, I swear it looked like a preacher coming to read a sermon. I will never forget that look!
June 19th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
RA – What a story about the vulture a the sheep farm! I’ve often thought that vultures on foot often look strangely solemn — so a preacher coming to read a sermon is an interesting image. I sometimes think of them as the undertakers of the avian world.
June 20th, 2006 at 3:32 pm
It seems that there are more around where I live now, too. I do not remember ever seeing a vulture when I was a kid, but I see them frequently now on my way home. Of course, my way home includes a new 4-lane through what was once an undeveloped part of the Berry College campus, 28000 acres nearly overrun with deer. I almost always see deer along that road, and often see victims of the traffic. And I guess that explains the vultures. A flock of them sunning themselves with wings widespread is also quite a sight.
June 20th, 2006 at 6:05 pm
Mark – I tend to think the population of most creatures is very much tied to food supply and it sounds like that might be the case in your area. And yes, a flock of them with wings extended is quite impressive. I’ve yet to catch a shot like that, but sooner or later it may happen.