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Thursday, October 28. 2010

Not turkeys

From a distance, I figured this was a flock of turkeys in an Ohio hayfield outside Mount Vernon last Saturday.


Nope. Vultures. Since I could not see any red on their heads, and because of their apparent sociable habit, they might have been Black Vultures. Or Maybe Turkey Vultures assembling around a corpse. Did not have my binoculars.


Not sure whether Black Vultures are regular in central Ohio.


 


Posted by Bird Dog in Natural History and Conservation at 12:26 | Comments (16) | Trackbacks (0)

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OT: A holocaust survivor view of life.

http://www.youtube.com/user/AliceTheFilm#p/a/u/0/QlccsLr48Mw
#1 Mal on 2010-10-28 12:52 (Reply)
We have many Turkey Vultures here in NJ. At this point the state has delegated the clean-up of road kill to them (if the bears don't drag the carcass off).
#2 NJSoldier on 2010-10-28 13:06 (Reply)
Being an old Ohio boy, I'd say your guess of Turkey Vulture is spot on.

They're abundant in NE Ohio. I'm surprised they're not the state bird (Cardinal fwiw).
#3 Browndog on 2010-10-28 13:30 (Reply)
"central Ohio" - Hinkley, perchance?
#4 John A on 2010-10-28 14:59 (Reply)
Black Vultures, not Turkey Vultures. The funny thing is, the black vulture looks a lot like a turkey when on the ground, but the turkey vulture doesn't.

We've had a flock or two come through our area in the past.
#5 Tom Francis on 2010-10-28 15:34 (Reply)
We have both Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures (the ones with the red head) in Ohio. From the picture, these look like Black Vultures. They are more aggressive than Turkey Vultures. Farmers have reported kills of new lambs by Blacks.
#6 Tim on 2010-10-28 15:37 (Reply)
All I ever see in Knox county are turkey vultures. Pace Tom, but I think these are likely turkey vultures.

However, the Ohio Dept Natural Resources says that black vultures are expanding into Ohio, so Tom may be right.

Whatever they are, in a month or so they will depart for parts south.
#7 bob sykes on 2010-10-28 15:39 (Reply)
Hey Bob - I got into an argument with our local DEP Game Warden about black vs turkey vultures. I was driving up the road one day and noticed a huge group of black vultures sitting on top of one of the local bed 'n breakfast homes - which, oddly, is located right next to the First Congregational grave yard. :>) He said they had to be turkey vultures because black vultures didn't even pass through CT.

http://www.swsports.org/images/Pictures/Black%20Buzzards%20I.jpg

http://www.swsports.org/images/Pictures/Black%20Buzzards%20II.jpg

He finally had to admit that I was right. :>)

The black vultures have been expanding their range by a lot. They are also aggressive little beasties as there have been some reports locally of them attacking or trying to take down pastured heifers.
#7.1 Tom Francis on 2010-10-28 18:01 (Reply)
Could well be turkey buzzards. Only the guys are redheaded so this is probably a bunch of the ladies taking tea.
#8 Knucklehead (Link) on 2010-10-28 15:43 (Reply)
Well now... it seems I must retract my statement above.

From:

http://vulturesociety.homestead.com/QandA.html

"How do you determine the gender of a turkey vulture?
Male and female turkey vultures do not exhibit any visible differences. They are exactly alike in color, and do not differ significantly in size or weight. Gender cannot be determined without a medical procedure."

I must add, however, that I don't believe this. I see these birds constantly. And often up close and personal. Some have a much more pronounced head including something that looks much like a tom's snood. I had presumed these were males.

Learn something new every day, even if you doubt the veracity of it.
#8.1 Knucklehead (Link) on 2010-10-28 15:56 (Reply)
They've spotted a small child playing and are hoping he dies.
#9 rhhardin (Link) on 2010-10-28 16:21 (Reply)
rh-
At a family reunion a few years ago, 5-year old cousin saw a few vultures above and said to his mother, "lay down with me Mom and they will circle us". She did, and they did. So you may have a point.
#9.1 MikeinAppalachia on 2010-10-28 21:39 (Reply)
Here in SE Ohio, the Black Vultures arrived a few years ago and are now pretty common. They do seem to leave a little earlier in the fall compared to the Turkey versions.
Just never know what rh is going to post-Here, Althouse, Tim Blair, .......
#10 MikeinAppalachia on 2010-10-28 21:35 (Reply)
We have recently seen an increase of sightings of Black Vultures here in Connecticut, especially in Fairfield and Litchfield counties. Of course, we have had Turkey vultures as long as I can remember (and that's longer than I'd like to admit.
#11 c m cunningham on 2010-10-28 22:22 (Reply)
We're seeing them out here in the Quiet Corner too.

Hmmmm - Hitchcock comes to mind. :>)
#11.1 Tom Francis on 2010-10-29 07:44 (Reply)
Wow, if this isn't a set up, I don't know what is.

Quicly off the top of my head.

Not sure whether Black Vultures are regular in central Ohio
No, they usually are scarlet and gray.

Not sure whether Black Vultures are regular in central Ohio
The statehouse if filled w/ many different types.

Not sure whether Vultures are regular in central Ohio
The big Somali influx started in 1994.
#12 DrTorch on 2010-10-29 11:11 (Reply)

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