BirdWalk Newsletter 4.2.2017

Walk conducted by Perry Nugent Newsletter written by Jayne J Matney

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Vultures! On a global scale,

vultures are divided into

two groups-Old World and

New World species. The

traditional Old World

species are separated into

their own taxa because they

are not associated with the

others. Old World vultures

are found in Europe, Africa,

and Asia, while the New

World vultures are located

in North and South

America. Therefore,

vultures are on all

continents except for

Photo by Paula Collins Antarctica and Australia.

In this area, the Black

Vulture (Coragyps atratus) and the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) are present in

our skies. Until very recently, New World vultures were thought to be related to

the stork, but new DNA evidence indicates they are more closely related to our

birds of prey. There are actually seven different species of New World vultures. In

general, they have bald heads to prevent dirty feathers on the head when eating

dead carcasses, but also for thermoregulation. Most people would not, at first

exposure to them, think of them as endearing. But once you get to know them,

vultures can be considered endearing because of their tight social structure and

behaviors as well as what they provide for us environmentally.

Photo by Richard Hernandez

Basically, vultures congregate in groups, and depending upon what they are doing

will determine what the group is called. “Kettle” is a reference to these birds in

flight while a “committee” rests or roost in trees, and a “wake” is distinguished by

a group that is feeding. Vultures rarely attack animals except if they are sickly or

wounded. They are gluttons when food is available, and then sleep off the day’s

feast- much like some people at Thanksgiving. Even though vultures prefer areas

of forests next to open space, or farmland ranges, they are well known for being

adaptive to human existence. They are quite often spied along roads, dumpsters,

landfills, and garbage dumps, and can often be seen roosting on electrical pylons.

Vultures are monogamous, feed their young by regurgitation for as long as eight

months after fledging, and roost in communities so that they can reunite with

others. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes the vulture to have a very “fierce

family loyalty” and

social bonding unlike

most other birds. Black

vultures actually hunt

for food with the turkey

vultures because the

turkey vultures have a

much better sense of

smell. Once the carcass

is found, the black

Photo by Jo Frkovich vultures will begin

forming their wake and

share the winnings, which scares the turkey vultures away because they prefer to

feed individually by taking turns. Being solitary feeders, the wake will be too

intimidating to the turkey vulture and will eventually vacate the carcass leaving

the black vulture scavengers with the “pickings”. Sometimes black vultures have

been seen wading after floating carcasses. A well evolved stomach of steel, the

vulture’s stomach acidity is so high that they can digest what other animals

cannot- even rotten and infected carrion that other scavengers cannot. They will

evade predators by regurgitating at them and lightening their own load to get

away.

In courtship, the vultures, like

most raptors, will have special

dances in flight which resemble a

“follow the leader” behavior. They

don’t put much effort into nest

building in caves, crevices, ledges,

and thickets – all on the ground.

The 2 eggs (this number is almost

always the case) are pale gray-

green with brown blotches. Both

vultures in the pair will take turns

incubating as well as feeding the Photo by Jo Frkovich

hatchlings. They do this by regurgitating

food out of their crops to the young.

Both types of vultures soar high in the air using warm thermals to carry them with

less use of their own energy. It is interesting to note that the Black vulture has

short, quick wing beats and soars very proficiently, but the turkey vulture has

more of a strong, deep wingbeat and is a bit wobbly in their soaring skills.

Photo by Jo Frkovich

Appearances are different with these two types of vultures as well. To contrast for

identification purposes, the black vulture is glossy black with white inner primary

feathers and white-shaped stars on the underwing, has a dark bill at the base with

ivory to yellow tip which is narrow with a hook at the end, and has a bare, small,

black head. Its wings are broad and rounded and the tail is short and rounded.

The black vulture holds its wings differently from the turkey vulture while soaring.

The turkey vulture’s wings are also broad, but are two toned underneath which is

very noticeable when soaring. The head of the turkey vulture is primarily red

although young ones do have black heads. The tail is longer than the black

vulture’s tail and the broad wings have noticeable wing tips like fingers.

Fun Facts:

Vultures hiss instead of talk

New World vultures urinate down their legs for protection against, and

reflection of the sunlight. In addition, this acid kills bacteria that could

otherwise be found there after eating on putrid carcasses and can also be a

coolant during evaporation.

Even though Turkey Vultures outnumber the Black Vultures, the Black

Vulture is the most numerous vulture in the Western Hemisphere.

The oldest fossil of vulture was found in Europe dating back at least 34

million years.

The oldest Black Vulture was at least 25 years and 6 months while the

oldest Turkey Vulture on record was at least 16 years and 10 months.

Black Vultures are known to prevent nonrelative vultures to come into their

roosting community.

As vulgar as the dead carcasses are, vultures are selective enough to leave

behind the scent glands of skunks!

Vultures have excellent immunities. Outrageous diseases such as anthrax,

botulism and cholera can be killed by the stomach acids and immune

systems of this bird’s body.

Photo by Paula Collins

Photo by Jo Frkovich

Natalie Hendrickson, of the Center for Birds of Prey in Awendaw, S.C., is quick to

point out that the vultures here in this country are primarily killed by automobiles

(because of their tendency to eat road kill), and lead poisoning from gunshot

pellets they may eat while feeding. Pesticides were a distinct problem in the past

which is not as problematic as before but can also be a factor. The vulture’s

inaccurate stereotype of being nasty, disease causing animals to have around has

caused major declines in some areas. But now scientist are discovering that

vultures actually prevent disease by cleaning up and preventing other scavengers

(mammal scavengers such as coyote, dogs, and wild cats) that are more

undesirable from coming in and overpopulating and carrying disease that can be

passed on to humans.

A case which is used as a study on this phenomenon was in India and Nepal. A

veterinary drug, used on animals and found in animal carcasses of which vultures

consumed, built up within the vulture tissues which caused death and a decline in

their population. Because of the lack of concern over this misunderstood group of

birds, India was very late in responding to this decline. Now they are suffering

from infectious diseases in their country and will not recover the vulture

populations for many decades to come. From a conservational standpoint here in

North America, the Black Vulture populations have increased during the 1966 to

2014 census. Prior to this, the vultures were being hunted and killed because of

misunderstandings until the 1970’s when attitudes changed. DDT pesticides were

also a key factor for their demise, but this was remedied soon enough for a

comeback for many types of birds impacted. Now, they are numerous and are not

on the watch list. They get a “least concern” status by the IUCN. The moral of the

story? Vultures are our friends. We need to protect them.

This past Sunday, 4.2.2017, fifty-seven species were spotted with six participants

involved in the investigation. The nesting of birds is in full swing and babies of

early nesters are being seen! Wood Duck with their ducklings appeared for the

seekers giving a total of 22. A pair of Canadian Geese, 75 Blue-winged Teal, 7

pied-billed Grebe, 2 Double Crested Cormorant, 60 Moorhen, and 60 American

Coot were in attendance as well. The Anhinga are dominating the trees with many

nests. The Great Blue Heron, are starting to tend to their babies, while the Great

Egret, Snowy Egret, and White Ibis are following suit by settling on nests. The

Audubon Swamp is also housing these birds in addition to Little Blue Heron,

Green Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, and Wood Stork. A Wilson’s Snipe at

the cross dike and over one hundred Laughing Gulls flying over added more to the

list.

A highlight of the walk was seeing the Swallow-tailed Kite near Ravenswood.

Some other highlights for the group were the nest building antics of the White-

eyed Vireo and the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher this week! Not only did they see the

usual Carolina Wren scattered all over the property, but the birdwatchers also

located a House Wren near the cabin area. The Savannah Sparrow and the Swamp

Sparrow made the list as well. Always an added “must see” were the Bald Eagles.

This week the bird watchers were able to see 1 adult and 2 juveniles (one of

which was a “this year’s” baby)!

3 Red-shouldered Hawk showed

their majestic attitudes. 2 Osprey

showed off their skills.

Red-bellied, Downy, and Pileated

Woodpecker were all accounted

for this week. Eastern Phoebe,

Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed

Vireo, Tree Swallow, Ruby-

crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush,

Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing,

Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped

Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler,

and Pine Warbler made this list as

well. To round out the crew of

birds located on the property on

this day included: Mourning Dove,

Common Yellowthroat, Tree Swallow, “Osprey” Photo by Chuck Fuhrman

American and Fish Hawk, Carolina

Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Mockingbird, Prothonotary Warbler,

Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, and Boat-tailed

Grackle.