Vulture Awareness Day
By Rachel Ames
It sure seems like there are a lot of Turkey Vultures around Lake Estes lately. This could be because new fledglings are now grouping together with adults or because birds that nested in the north are migrating their way through Colorado. For whatever reason, they are quite a sight. These large raptors are unmistakable with their red-bald heads and their V-like soar. They eat almost exclusively carrion (with a preference of the day-old variety). While they will feast on large carrion (elk, deer, moose) they don’t like competition so typically prefer more bite-sized meals such as small rodents, fish, frogs and even insects. While they roost out in the open, they like to nest in cliffs and caves – away from humans. It is believed that pairs mate for life and often reuse their nest year after year. Both the male and the female incubate the eggs (about a month) and feed the young (about 2-3 months). Turkey Vultures that live along the coasts don’t tend to migrate very far but birds from this area are thought to migrate farther -- throughout Central and South America. Tomorrow is International Vulture Awareness Day so be sure and look up to the skies and thank the vulture that cleans up nature’s messes.
