Tuesday's Turkey Vultures

Upon arriving at the office this morning around 8 AM,
this pair was basking in the glow of the morning sun.

Often called buzzards or carrion crows, turkey vultures are not related to either family. One of two vultures found throughout south Florida, the turkey vulture is protected by Federal law and cannot be killed without proper permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The turkey vulture is approximately twenty-five inches tall and weighs from 3.5 to 5.3 pounds. The wingspan measures some seventy-two inches. This bird is blackish brown and has its own distinguishing features. As you can see in the photograph, they have a red head and legs, the tips of the bills are white, and the undersides of their wings are lined in gray. In flight, their tails extend past their legs.

Turkey vultures live in landfills, pastures, or wherever they can find sources of carrion (dead or decaying flesh). They will occasionally eat vegetable and plant matter or prey upon young, sick, or weak animals but carrion is their main diet. Turkey vultures have a well-developed sense of smell to help them find new sources of carrion.

Vultures are communal roosters and have two interesting habits: they defecate on their legs to keep cool (It must be effective. Why else would they do it?); and, when threatened with attack, vultures disgorge their stomach contents. This might explain why the word vulture conjures up such ill feelings and dark images. Historically, vultures were once thought of as spiritual messengers and symbols of strength. Today, they are important as natural garbage disposals that eliminate costly cleanup of our roads and pastures.

In south Florida, vultures are often observed soaring at great heights, riding the wind currents. They are elegant birds when in flight, a contradiction to their reputation as an evil dark bird. As an avid bird watcher and nature lover, it's important to understand that vultures are an important part of the ecosystem. We may not like them, but we need them ...