wild things
The Black Vulture
Nature ’ s cleanup ground crew that soars above
by julie super
There is an American black vulture living in my backyard , watching the comings and goings of my household like a hawk .
Black vultures are one of two New World vultures living in our area . The turkey vulture is the other . The former was once found only in South and Central America and in the southeastern part of the United States . Their range has gradually expanded northeast , with sightings reported as far north as southern Canada . The turkey vulture ’ s range overlaps the American black vulture ’ s and includes all states west of the Mississippi .
Taxonomically , vultures are in the Order Accipitriformes along with hawks , eagles , and kites . Like all raptors , they eat meat ; however , lacking the sharp talons and killing grasp of other members of the order , vultures primarily eat carrion
Photo : Liz Dennison , volunteer at Owl Moon
Above : Ten-week-old Gillis at Owl Moon Raptor Center still sporting a bit of down around her face ; below : Gillis at her new home showing the “ jazz hands ” of her wingtips .
She is about ten months old .
Photo : Julie Super
or animals that have already died .
This consumption of carrion is the environmental service these scavengers provide the rest of us . Vultures are often referred to as Nature ’ s cleanup crew , consuming decaying matter that otherwise would become mega breeding sites for unwanted bacteria . For example , a vulture ’ s gut acidity and unique microflora can neutralize the bacterial bad guys that cause anthrax and botulism . Consuming and negating all manner of detrimental bacteria keeps the land and waterways healthier for the rest of us earthlings . Think of this as a vulture ’ s superpower .
Turkey vultures have an additional rare ability — a superior sense of smell , an attribute almost unheard of in the bird world . They easily detect gases released by decomposing meat , wafting skyward . Black vultures take advantage of their cousin ’ s sensory skill by soaring directly above them . When the
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