By Aidan ENo
What are the mysteriously large birds flying around Craig or perched on the baseball fences? What are they like? And why are there so many of them? They are turkey vultures (or turkey buzzards, as some people call them).
Turkey vultures are notable distinguished by their deep black plumage and featherless pink head. Turkey vultures eat dead animals--the fresher the better--by sticking their head directly into the animal's carcass. Scientists believe this is why they have no feathers past their neck. “It's hard for a bird to clean (preen) feathers on their head,” said Shannon Hackett, Head of Chicago’s Field Museum’s Bird Division and friend of agriculture teacher Mrs. Runde.
Turkey vultures are harmless, but just like any wild animal, they should be respected, undisturbed, and unprovoked; they have a unique defense mechanism that allows them to expel vomit in a range of up to ten feet if they feel threatened.
These birds are often seen in large groups, like perched on the baseball fences, because the local vultures will form a large group when they plan to migrate out of the area. This is often seen in early spring and late fall, which explains their increased numbers.
Turkey vultures in northern habitats migrate, but the ones who live in warmer climates don’t need to.
Turkey vultures are believed to mate for life and are one of the few North American bird species that do. The young turkey vultures live with their parents until about a year after birth. Both parents feed the juvenile vultures through regurgitation, Hackett explained.
Unlike most birds, turkey vultures don’t build their own nest. They’ll usually nest in hidden areas, such as rock crevices, hollow trees, or in logs.
“They could also be breading near the school if the area is heavily wooded,” Hackett said. “It’s possible the birds could be nesting in the woods behind the school.”
They are often seen soaring, as opposed to flapping, because they are able to catch thermal updrafts that allow them to fly for hours without moving a wing. In fact, turkey vultures are considered by some to be masters of flight.
They are also considered master sniffers. Birds of prey are usually known for their excellent vision, but turkey vultures use their exceptional sense of smell to track down food. Fresh dead things have the most enticing smell, so the sight of a huge group of turkey vultures in the area likely means that either something emitted a smell strong enough to attract them, or they are getting ready to leave for the season.
Turkey vultures are notable distinguished by their deep black plumage and featherless pink head. Turkey vultures eat dead animals--the fresher the better--by sticking their head directly into the animal's carcass. Scientists believe this is why they have no feathers past their neck. “It's hard for a bird to clean (preen) feathers on their head,” said Shannon Hackett, Head of Chicago’s Field Museum’s Bird Division and friend of agriculture teacher Mrs. Runde.
Turkey vultures are harmless, but just like any wild animal, they should be respected, undisturbed, and unprovoked; they have a unique defense mechanism that allows them to expel vomit in a range of up to ten feet if they feel threatened.
These birds are often seen in large groups, like perched on the baseball fences, because the local vultures will form a large group when they plan to migrate out of the area. This is often seen in early spring and late fall, which explains their increased numbers.
Turkey vultures in northern habitats migrate, but the ones who live in warmer climates don’t need to.
Turkey vultures are believed to mate for life and are one of the few North American bird species that do. The young turkey vultures live with their parents until about a year after birth. Both parents feed the juvenile vultures through regurgitation, Hackett explained.
Unlike most birds, turkey vultures don’t build their own nest. They’ll usually nest in hidden areas, such as rock crevices, hollow trees, or in logs.
“They could also be breading near the school if the area is heavily wooded,” Hackett said. “It’s possible the birds could be nesting in the woods behind the school.”
They are often seen soaring, as opposed to flapping, because they are able to catch thermal updrafts that allow them to fly for hours without moving a wing. In fact, turkey vultures are considered by some to be masters of flight.
They are also considered master sniffers. Birds of prey are usually known for their excellent vision, but turkey vultures use their exceptional sense of smell to track down food. Fresh dead things have the most enticing smell, so the sight of a huge group of turkey vultures in the area likely means that either something emitted a smell strong enough to attract them, or they are getting ready to leave for the season.