Turkey Vultures Migrate
These amazing birds are beginning to stretch out their 6 foot wingspans and head south. You can tell a soaring vulture from other birds by the way that they hold their wings in a strong V-shape and tend to rock in flight. Bald eagles hold their wings level with their bodies when they fly. If the wind is right, a vulture can soar for 6 hours without flapping its wings. Look for them high above Sunset or Minister Lake.
Vultures eat mostly carrion (dead animals) and some plant material. They play an important role in cleaning up waste that might otherwise spread disease. To help them locate their pungent meals, these birds have an excellent sense of smell. They also have very strong stomach acid that kills the bacteria and viruses often found in their food.
Though the vulture doesn't have many natural predators, it does have some pretty clever (and gross) defenses. If a turkey vulture has been feeding on carrion and is approached by a predator, it will vomit as a defense strategy! The smelly substance deters the predator and can even sting its eyes, plus the vulture has lightened its load and may take off more quickly.
The vulture has another cool adaptation-literally! On hot days, vultures will urinate on their legs to cool them off. The strong acid in their urine also kills bacteria on their legs and feet, and helps keep them healthy.
Did You Know? According to DNA evidence, vultures are actually a member of the stork family. Their weak feet aren't built for grasping and piercing prey like those of the raptors. Also, a vulture is not actually a buzzard. Buzzard is the British word for hawk.
Learn more: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
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