TURKEY VULTURE
Vultures or Buzzards? Buzzards are not scavengers; they are raptors that don’t exist in North America, where its name is commonly misused. Vultures on the other hand, do exist here and are the “garbage men” of the natural world. They eat dead carcasses, cleaning up the environment, thereby preventing the spreading of diseases.
Their digestive tract contains a high acid content able to digest highly toxic substances such as botulism, cholera, anthrax, and even rabies. Their stomachs are powerful enough to dissolve bones and destroy the pathogens commonly found in decaying flesh.
The Turkey Vulture has a red head, is larger than the Black, with silver underneath all flight feathers. Its wings are raised in a dihedral, and it glides with a rocking motion. The Black Vulture is slightly smaller with a black head. It has silver only underneath the wing tips and it rapidly beats its wings, glides, beats, and glides.
Happy birding!
Upcoming Events:
• Every Saturday, 8:30 a.m., Nature Walk at Audubon Pennington Park, 1153 Alton Rd, Port Charlotte.
• June through September, No scheduled walks or programs, other than Pennington Park, which will occur most Saturdays.
You do not have to be a member of PRAS to join us. Participation is free, and registration is not required. Visit the website at http://www.peaceriveraudubonsociety.org for all the details or give me a call: Rick Read, BSM resident at 574-870-2695 for information or car-pooling.
