Return of the turkey vulture
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By Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — There are many ways to tell if spring has finally made its arrival known. Tiny green shoots poking out of the garden beds, colorful robins hopping about the yard pecking away at the ground and warm days becoming more the rule rather than the exception.
Another way to tell is the return of the much maligned Turkey Vulture. Every spring these nomadic creatures work their way up the continent from places as far away as South America.
The Turkey Vulture is a protected species that plays an important role in the ecosystem by acting as natures clean-up crew.
“They are one of natures garbage men,” Ringgold County Conservation Director Travis Scott said. “They are a protected species because of their role in helping control disease by eliminating dead animals that might otherwise attract insects and other disease carrying animals.”
The turkey vulture is easily recognizable by it 70-inch wing span and distinctive red bald head. The bird was first added to the protected species list thanks to the Migratory Treaty Act of 1918. This law made the possession of or killing of the turkey vulture a felony federal offense.
Vultures have long been associated with “death” and rightly so, as this large bird dines almost exclusively on carrion (dead animals) for their sustenance. They are a very social animal often gathering in large numbers called “kettles.” They will roost in large leafless trees and return to the same roosting sight throughout their stay in the region.
Vultures typically arrive in early spring and start their migration southward in late September. Despite their ominous appearance they have no predatory instinct. They have incredible senses of smell and can detect a dead animal from as far away as a mile making them very efficient at their job.
Each year the public reaches out to authorities asking about these awkward birds and “what they are doing.” The stigma associated with vultures has always been a visceral one probably due to the countless depictions of death in the movies. The reality is somewhat less dramatic but their importance to ecology remains vital.
Unchecked animal remains foster disease and negative impacts on the environment. Turkey vultures silently go about their task and contribute to a cleaner safer outdoor experience for all to enjoy.
