Vultures are much misunderstood birds, the role they play though is crucial to the maintenance of a clean and healthy environment. The vulture is not a predator by nature; first and foremost they are carrion feeders, scavengers. They ‘recycle’ dead animals, road kill, the decomposing carcasses that otherwise would spawn bacteria and diseases that would endanger not only wildlife but our health as well.
Vultures are well adapted to their role of environmental scavengers. Their bare heads allow them to feed on carcasses without soiling their feathers and their stomach acids are so strong that they can ingest all manner of bacteria without insult. Another protective means is their urine which is absolutely sterile.
‘Vulture’ is derived from the Latin word ‘vulturus’, meaning ‘tearer’ and is in reference to its feeding habits. The species name, ‘atratus’, means clothed in black, comes from the Latin ‘ater’ meaning black.
Vultures are large birds of prey, soaring birds. There are two types of vultures in Florida, the black vulture, Coragyps atratus, and the smaller turkey vulture, Cathartes aura. The black vulture is more social than the turkey and is often seen travelling here in flocks.
The black vulture’s head and neck are bare of feathers being covered with grey wrinkled skin, it has white tips at the end of each wing, the tips of their bills are grayish in color, the legs are pale grey, have square tails, and their feet extend past their tails during flight. The black vulture stands approx twenty-two inches in height and weighs 3.8 to 5.1 pounds, with a wingspan of approx fifty-four inches. The males and females look similar, the juveniles having darker heads and no skin wrinkles.
Black Vulture
The Turkey Vulture is similar again, but has a red head, longer wings outlined with silver/white and a longer tail. Standing approx twenty-five inches tall and weighs from 3.5 to 5.3 pounds, the wingspan is seventy-two inches, larger than the black vulture and the turkey vulture can thus soar with less frequent flapping.
Turkey Vulture
Both share similar habitats open woodland, forest, shrublands, wetlands, pasturelands or wherever they can find sources of carrion (dead or decaying flesh). Carrion is their main diet, but they will occasionally eat vegetable and plant matter or prey upon young, sick, or weak animals. The turkey vultures have a well developed sense of smell to help them find new sources of carrion. However, the black vulture does not and will normally return to dependable food sources rather than seeking out new ones.
Vultures are protected by Federal Law, for prevention and control check out this document by the Governments FWC.
abc Wednesday, wordless Wednesday
Florida Birding books can be purchased through our Garden Store so why not take a peek there!
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