Vultures

VULTURES
Order: Ciconiiformes

By Jill Beck

Vultures are the most common large bird we see in the sky over PA. How can we tell a vulture in the sky from other large birds?

Multiple Select

How can you tell a vulture in the sky from other large birds like hawks and owls?

• They are a different color.

• They fly with their wings in a V shape.

• They appear to tilt back and forth as if balancing.

• They dive at great speeds.

Vultures are also called Buzzards.

• ​They have featherless heads.

• They are darkly colored.

• They are large.

• Their featherless heads are important! WHY?

Multiple Choice

Vultures have no feathers on their heads because....

• to enhance their flying ability.
• to attract potential mates.
• to regulate their body temperature.
• to maintain hygiene and prevent bacteria growth.

Vultures are DIURNAL. This means they are active during the day. They need the sun to create thermals so they can soar on wind updrafts in search of food.

Although they are large, they are often NOT considered birds of prey. They have weak talons and beaks. They eat dead animal carcasses. Which sense do vultures use to find CARRION?

Multiple Choice

Which of their senses do vultures use to spot carrion?

• Vultures use their eyesight to spot carrion.
• Vultures rely on their sense of smell to find food.
• Vultures use their hearing to detect carrion.
• Vultures depend on touch to locate dead animals.

VULTURES are social birds.

• ​Live in groups of up to 25

• Most of the vultures in PA are TURKEY VULTURES.

• They get a red head and legs when they mature and are black when young.

• They will hiss or grunt but do not sing or call because they do not have a voice box.

Multiple Choice

Vultures live in groups called...

• flocks
• murder
• herds
• committees

Multiple Choice

What do vultures do if the weather is poor?

• Vultures stay grounded or seek shelter.
• Vultures migrate to warmer areas immediately.
• Vultures hunt for food in the storm.
• Vultures fly higher to avoid the rain.

​Black Vultures

• smaller than turkey vultures

• white primary feathers you can see

• shorter tail

• feet trail beyond the tail

• can't soar as well as turkey V's

• Can't smell as well as turkey V's

• Like to collect small treasures like buttons

Multiple Choice

Many vultures still gather over a hundred years later at the sight of this historical battlefield.

• Chancellorsville

• Shiloh
• Gettysburg

• Antietam

Multiple Choice

If a vulture gets too hot it will...

• poop on their legs to cool down

• fly to a cooler location
• find shade under a tree
• soak in a nearby pond

Multiple Choice

If an intruder gets too close to a vulture it will....

• hiss, flap wings, or charge at the intruder
• throw up on them

• fly away quickly
• scream loudly