19 replies to this topic

[Kaysei]

First time in 7 years I've ever seen these guys (buzzards for us southern folks) in MY trees. There were 4 of them. They were just a little too huge to get on the feeders. A little ol' mockingbird finally drove them away after 10 minutes of dive-bombing. I've always thought all the ones around here were turkey vultures, but I think these are black vultures instead.

[creeker]

Yep, Black Vultures there. Cool yard bird!

[meghann]

They like to land in my trees and drive my dog nuts. The first time she saw them, she wasn't sure she wanted to bark at them, but now she does. They just look at her like "oh please." Lol!

[creeker]

I would not recommend parking your car under that tree!

[threeofhardts]

I see them (or perhaps Turkey Vultures, not sure which) fly overhead quite often in my backyard but have only seen one 'down' one time. It was eating something dead in the middle of the road...nearly got hit by a car. (The TV, not me!)

[Pyrsto]

I see vultures all the time circling and eating roadkill (turkey and black, mostly turkey). I don't recall ever seeing them perched in a tree though. They're sure ugly, but also really impressive.

[Melissa :)]

I get both Turkey and Black Vultures in my yard, usually landing in our mini woods/wetlands directly behind our fence.

[Aveschapines]

There are about 50 Black Vultures that roost in a tree near my house; I see them every day, and often see Turkey Vultures too. They seem to love to perch in the very tops of conifers, where it looks like they'll fall off any second!

I love vultures - I think they are cool looking and I love to watch them fly. In addition, nobody else cleans up the roadkill here so they perform an extremely valuable public service!

[Aveschapines]

I see them (or perhaps Turkey Vultures, not sure which) fly overhead quite often in my backyard but have only seen one 'down' one time. It was eating something dead in the middle of the road...nearly got hit by a car. (The TV, not me!)

Look for the red head and white bands along the bottom of the wings seen from below when flying, and tendency to hold wings in a v-shape, for Turkeys. Blacks have black heads and triangle-shaped white wing tips, and tend to hold their wings almost flat when flying.

[threeofhardts]

Look for the red head and white bands along the bottom of the wings seen from below when flying, and tendency to hold wings in a v-shape, for Turkeys. Blacks have black heads and triangle-shaped white wing tips, and tend to hold their wings almost flat when flying.

Much of the time they are too high up for me to tell if they have a black or red head. I shot a video of one back in May of this year. I labelled it Black Vulture because that's what it appeared to be, but I'm not really sure.

Vulture Soaring

(My cinematography skills are lacking...in case you don't notice.)

[Aveschapines]

Much of the time they are too high up for me to tell if they have a black or red head. I shot a video of one back in May of this year. I labelled it Black Vulture because that's what it appeared to be, but I'm not really sure.

Vulture Soaring

(My cinematography skills are lacking...in case you don't notice.)

My impression is TV - I kept gettng a wierd double imgage effect, but I thought I could see the light band across the bottom of the wings, and couldn't pick out the white triangle tips of a BV; also the wing position seemed to match Turkey to me. But I hope someone with more experience can confirm!

[threeofhardts]

Thanks aveschapines. You're probably right. I see the double image effect, too. Not sure how that happened. I was just surprised I was actually able to capture some of it on video. Usually I can't find what I'm looking for through the viewfinder.

[Aveschapines]

Thanks aveschapines. You're probably right. I see the double image effect, too. Not sure how that happened. I was just surprised I was actually able to capture some of it on video. Usually I can't find what I'm looking for through the viewfinder.

You're welcome! I have that problem, too.

I don't know if this is diagnostic, but I much more often see BV in large flocks (up to 50 individuals) and TV singly or in pairs; sometimes I see a TV or two among a flying flock of BV.

[threeofhardts]

I checked out this site and according to them, Black Vultures aren't even found in my area. I guess I'll change the video to TV instead. While in my backyard, I have seen up to 4 vultures soaring together. I was tempted to lay down on the ground to see if they'd think I was 'dead meat' and land on me...just so I could get a better look at them.

[Aveschapines]

There are always dozens of vultures around the city slaughterhouse here. You can get lots of great views without offering yourself as bait!

I have both BV an TV here, although it took me quite a while to realize it!

[Kaysei]

I was tempted to lay down on the ground to see if they'd think I was 'dead meat' and land on me...just so I could get a better look at them.

I usually see at least 3-4 at the time. They do enjoy hovering above me while I'm mowing the yard. LOL

[Aveschapines]

I saw 3 Turkey Vultures flying together today.

[sandylee]

I've seen a kettle of at least 30 TV's here in N. MI.... Usually when there are good thermals coming across the hills...also had about 10 that would roost in an Oak on the side of my house.... also saw about 25 roosting on my neighbor's boathouse one year! They are way cool birds.

[creeker]

There is a TV roost here at the Wild Animal Park. I've seen like 100 soaring around at the same time.

[cestma]

I've seen a kettle of at least 30 TV's here in N. MI.... Usually when there are good thermals coming across the hills...also had about 10 that would roost in an Oak on the side of my house.... also saw about 25 roosting on my neighbor's boathouse one year! They are way cool birds.

Way cool birds--I agree!