Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
This bird lost most of a wing in an accident. The University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine's Raptor Rehab Project saved the bird and included it in its traveling educational program. (photo from 6/5/05)
The Turkey Vulture feeds primarily on a wide variety of carrion, from small mammals to large grazers, preferring those recently dead, and avoiding carcasses that have reached the point of putrefaction. It may rarely feed on plant matter, shoreline vegetation, pumpkin and other crops, live insects and other invertebrates. It rarely, if ever, kills prey itself. The Turkey Vulture can often be seen along roadsides feeding on roadkill, or near bodies of water, feeding on washed-up fish. It also will feed on fish or insects which have become stranded in shallow water. Like other vultures, it plays an important role in the ecosystem by disposing of carrion which would otherwise be a breeding ground for disease. (Wikipedia)
This post made in conjunction with International Vulture Awareness Day. Please see vulture-related posts on other blogs.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
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3 comments:
There is a tower not too far from where I live that is a roost of a good number of TVs. I have counted 50+ there from time to time. It won't be long and they will be gone for the summer.
There is no idea of celebrating such days in our country. Never think that vulture is an important bird for ecosystem. Thanks for realization.
Didn't know MU had a Raptor Rehab Project! Love to watch them drifting in the air currents.
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