In some circles the Turkey Vulture isn’t the most popular kid on the block but to me they’re as deserving of our respect and admiration as any other native bird.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this bird six days ago in a remote area near Promontory Point in Box Elder County. I like the shot for its detail and the good look at the head and eye. I often photograph these birds in flight but seldom get this much detail with good light on the face.
Turkey Vultures are often described as having small heads but that’s largely an illusion caused by the fact that the head is devoid of feathers. And then there’s that black ring around the eye which I’ve been intrigued about for some time. Many sources describe a semicircular pattern of papillae (warts) around the eye that may be bacterial skin infections resulting from continual exposure to rotting meat. But those papillae are invariably described as being “whitish or greenish” and the ones I see tend to be very dark, almost black like in this bird. Curious…
This was one of the first Turkey Vultures I’d seen since their return this spring. Interestingly, our knowledge of migratory patterns of this species is limited because the US Fish and Wildlife service revoked banding permits for Turkey and Black Vultures in 1977 because their habit of urohydrosis (defecating onto the scaly portions of the legs as a cooling mechanism) causes the excreta to plaster the band to the leg and results in foot and leg lesions and other deformities.
Ron
Who doesn’t love the Turkey Vulture? We are among their many fans. They are true masters of the air; it seems to me they read air currents the way we see the ground surface.
This comic really sums it up: http://birdandmoon.com/birdsaregross.html
I apologize for not reading the rest of the comment Ron. If someone asked this already ignore me. Couldn’t fish and wildlife use wing vending techniques?
Great image as well.
Wendy, I’m unfamiliar with “wing vending techniques” but the recommended method of marking these birds is now the use of patagial wing tags.
I love TVs, and all other species of vultures found worldwide. They are remarkable birds, indeed. There is a large flock of them hanging out in the area where I live, and they sometimes can be found on one of the pecan trees a few yards from my door. They’re quite shy, though, and rarely stick around. But when they’re being a little brave, I enjoy watching typical bird behavior, including preening and head bobbing. They don’t seem to be too gregarious, but they are beauties in flight. Very nice image.
I find them to be shy too, Lane. I was lucky to have this bird come in so close.
Certainly birds which deserve respect and admiration. Useful birds doing an unappreciated job. And a stunning image.
I am very happy that the banding permits were revoked too.
As you’re very aware they serve a useful purpose, Elephant’s Child
The black around the eye are tiny feathers, Ron – they also have a very fine peach fuzz of feathers on their head – it’s not truly plain, bald skin. And the warts I’ve seen (up close and personal, in the hand, as it were) are white. I’ve never seen any particular pattern to them. One of our two TUVUs has them – the younger one, oddly enough – while the other, the male, does not. And neither have had much access to ‘carrion’ if you interpret that to mean not freshly dead food.
I’m delighted to have that little mystery cleared up, Louise. Thank you.
Thank you for the information Louise. I find Turkey Vultures fascinating, but know so little about them compared to other birds.
I completely agree that they deserve respect and admiration and we should all examine our biases … and they do an import cleanup job that benefits us. I saw an interesting behavior recently. In a March birding class with David Lukas, I’d learned that courting behavior involves flying with flapping for hours – normally they hardly flap at all – by the males to demonstrate strength and endurance. Shortly after he said that, along came a flappying TV followed by another, and the pair flapped exhaustingly off into the distant hills, presumably to make more TV’s. Anybody else familiar with this?
I wasn’t familiar with that behavior you described, Betsy. I’ll be watching for it this spring – thanks for the heads up on it.
It really is a challenge to expose all that dark mass properly. You really nailed it, Ron! I could watch these magnificent birds all day. Their extraordinary ability to soar is fascinating. I even become engrossed watching them feed. (Oops, a pun slipped in.)
You made me smile again, Wally – loved the pun.
Fantastic shot Ron!
Thanks, Charlotte.
Great image Ron, really enjoyed seeing that you got such great clarity and light on this bird. Our birds never seem to get that close when they fly overhead or nearby. But, I’ll keep hoping and trying!!
They usually don’t come this close to me either, Dick. Maybe this one thought I smelled like carrion and came in to check me out…
Your comment about urohydrosis is interesting and I think I’ve heard of it before in regards to Turkey Vultures, but it begs the question: why don’t other birds do that?
Todd, Actually there are a few other birds that do this – including several species of storks.
Gorgeous photo! Turkey vultures are one of my favorite birds, and very under appreciated as already mentioned. They really are stunning up close. And their habit of defacating on their legs is a factoid that I never tire of sharing 🙂
I think it’s a fascinating behavior, Kirsten. Not very sanitary by our standards but it certainly serves its purpose.
We have these guys in our area. They sit on the NMSU Horse Farm fence in the mornings to spread their wings and warm up. Beautiful site. Now that I’m retired, I don’t see them as much. Love watching the tail when they’re soaring. Fascinating. Great picture, Ron.
Thank you, Ann. I hope you’re enjoying retirement as much as I am!
A beautiful shot of an often unappreciated bird. I love Turkey Vultures!
“I love Turkey Vultures!”
I’m happy to see you say that, Gail. I wish more folks appreciated them…
This is the best shot I have seen. They are such odd looking birds on the ground, but in flight they are beautiful birds. That’s interesting about the banding.
I’m glad you like the image, Jean. Thank you.