Turkey Vulture, Turkey Vulture and more Turkey Vultures

The Turkey Vultures are back in Indiana from their winter vacation!

 While some people don't find Vultures interesting, some even despise these birds and still others will tell me "These birds are no longer considered Raptors". Yes, I know the Vultures were removed from the Raptor list some years ago but I still enjoy seeing them! I used too be one of those people that despised any Vulture (and no they are not Buzzards, a Buzzard is for old world birds). I use to think, “They eat dead things how interesting can they be???”

As luck would have it, I became very acquainted with the resident female Turkey Vulture at RAPTOR Inc, Earl.  Yes Earl, as some times happens to birds in the world of humans a bird receives a male name until it lays an egg, such is the case with Earl.

Turkey Vultures are very social animals, if you’ve noticed they are typically seen in large groups (known as a wake).

                      
                                                           

Camera: Canon SX30IS

While at RAPTOR I learned that Turkey Vultures are intelligent as well.  RAPTOR was incorporating enrichment processes into the feeding of some of the birds, with Earl that meant hiding her rat in something. The first try as a paper bag, she had the rat out of the bag in just a few seconds. Next we used a phone book, Earl studied the puzzle then stuck her beak into the side near the center of the book and opened the book. Other enrichment items tried included pumpkins and a box, but Earl was up to every challenge!

The most interesting thing that happened when I was feeding Earl, she didn’t want to dine alone. I placed Earls rat in the center of her mew (cage) and then turned to leave, she grabbed my pants leg and would not let go until I turned away from the door to her mew. I waited for a minute or two and then tried to leave again with the same result. The third time I waited until Earl was well into her meal and then I slowly walked backwards towards the door. I quickly popped out the door leaving Earl very ticked in her mew.

These are some of the reasons I like Turkey Vultures, and as you can there is more to this bird than just eating dead things!
                                                             

Camera: Canon SX30IS

Question1. How does one identify an adult Turkey Vulture in flight? Look closely at the first picture, notice the pattern and color of the light feathers. This pattern is unique to the adult Turkey Vulture also the Red head is unique to the Turkey Vulture but this feature is seldom seen in flight.

Question 2. How does one identify Vultures in flight? Look closely at the second picture, notice the slight “V” shape formed by the raised wing tips. This is typically the flight posture of a Vulture. Vultures sometime pull their wings in toward their body to pickup speed and the V shape is not seen.