On a beautiful sunny day, you can look in the sky and spot these magestic black birds soaring up in the air. When they're looking for food, you will see them fly closer to the ground trying to catch the smell of a carcass on the ground.
What may seem distgusting to most of us is actually what makes the turkey vulture such a valuable asset to our ecosystem. They are our clean-up crew. Their incredible digestive systems stop diseases from spreading and keep our spaces clean.
The turkey vulture gets its name because of its resemblence to a turkey, but in this newsletter you will learn many qualities that make this bird unique from any other and essential to our community.
In this video, Harvey Webster from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History explains facinating features of the Turkey Vulture.
5 Interesting Turkey Vulture Facts
1. Turkey vultures do not build nests. They lay eggs directly on the ground.
2. A turkey vulture defense method is vomiting on their enemy. If they are harrassed or disturbed, there can projectile vomit up to 10 feet. Baby turkey vultures do this too.
3. Turkey vultures live up to 20 years in the wild.
4. A group of turkey vultues is called a "kettle".
5. During hot weather they will deficate on their feet to cool off. This also acts as a disinfectant wash after eating.
Where in the Conejo to Spot a Turkey Vulture
Unlike hawks, turkey vultures only eat creatures that are already deceased. One of the places to find creatures in this category is along streets and freeways. Often, you can spot them soaring over the 101 Highway on a bright, sunny day.
The first Saturday in September each year is International Vulture Awareness Day. The aim is for conservation organizations to carry out their own activities that highlight vulture conservation and awareness. This initiative has grown from Vulture Awareness Days run by the Birds of Prey Programme of the Endangered Wildlife Trust in South Africa and the Hawk Conservancy Trust in England, who decided to work together and expand the initiative into an international event. For more information visit: vultureday.org
How to Draw a Vulture
ARE YOU AN EDUCATOR? If you would like this information in a format you can distribute to your class, let's chat! Email Christina at naturekidsactivities@gmail.com
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