Most years in May, I see mature turkey vultures shepherding fledglings on their first flights over my neighborhood
They're amazing birds.-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
Z9 BIF Turkey Vulture focus illustration
- Thread starter Ken Seals
- Start date
They're amazing birds.Love them. Never met a bird I didn't like. And they're a LOT smarter than we have ever given them credit for. More than we suspect. The phrase "bird brain" is supposed to indicate their intelligence is less because their brains are small. We used to think that about computers too, until the micro and nano chips came along.Most years in May, I see mature turkey vultures shepherding fledglings on their first flights over my neighborhood
Vandyu
Veteran Member
Thank you for this information. It must be exciting to watch as these marvelous winged creatures perform their fall and spring rituals. All going about their lives oblivious that we are watching. And, covering our heads as they soar above. I've only been pooped upon once by a bird as I was walking along the driveway into my work. Not a good look. Umbrella sales might be good along that flight route! That is a great photo of the Lesser Yellow-Headed Vulture. More attractive than its pink-headed cousin.I don't know how many people are aware that many (most?) turkey vultures migrate vast distances (thousands of miles, in some cases) every fall and spring from North America to as far south as Patagonia and back again. I know I wasn't aware of it.
They are one of the three big stars in one of the largest visible migrations on planet earth, popularly known as the Veracruz River of Raptors. In the months from September-November every fall, 1-2 million turkey vultures pass over a narrow plain in Veracruz, Mexico, flying south from spots all over North America. Even more Swainson's Hawks and Broad-Winged Hawks do the same. In total, as many as 4-6 million raptors pass through each fall. (And hundreds of thousands of white pelicans, wood storks, and other birds.)
On many days during the fall migration, it's possible to see 200,000-400,000 birds fly by in a 6-hour period (they typically fly from around 10am to 4pm because that's when the thermals provide lift).
I spent about 8 days watching it this last October. Truly astounding on a big day. The sky fills with birds in, well, a river streaming south. In your field of view, you can easily see thousands of hawks and vultures at once, all mixed together, in streams and in the spirals (called "vortexes" or "kettles") that they use to periodically gain altitude for their next soaring leg.
Short description: https://fieldguides.com/bird-tours/mexico-veracruz/
Quick video that gives a taste:
In Veracruz, there is also a native vulture, called the Lesser Yellow-Headed Vulture, which is visually very striking. We saw quite a few of these out in the fields, and could photograph them quite closely. I wasn't photographing on this trip, but here's a shot from Wikipedia:
--
If someone is important to you, let them know every day. Life is never fair, it seems, and time is always too short. Every day give the world your very best.
Vandyu
Veteran Member
Sometimes I'm inclined to think that humans are overrated. ;-)Love them. Never met a bird I didn't like. And they're a LOT smarter than we have ever given them credit for. More than we suspect. The phrase "bird brain" is supposed to indicate their intelligence is less because their brains are small. We used to think that about computers too, until the micro and nano chips came along.Most years in May, I see mature turkey vultures shepherding fledglings on their first flights over my neighborhood
Similar threads
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum