Phriday Photo – Flying Turkey Vultures
October 30, 2009
Article in: Photography
We love the shape Turkey Vultures (TVs) make when they fly. They are one of the coolest birds to observe and often allow for up close study. Their behaviors are fascinating and something we will be discussing in the near future.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology – Spooky Birds Contest
October 26, 2009
Article in: Birding
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is hosting a spooky bird contest and you have until Halloween to enter. “A Murder of Crows and other Spooky Bird Tales” consists of photos, stories, artwork, and more of birds doing weird but explainable behaviors.
For our entry we have chosen perhaps the most fascinating and oh so creepy North American bird, the Turkey Vulture. Our submission is below:
We observed a large group of Turkey Vultures riding thermals as the sun declined over Devil’s Lake State Park in central Wisconsin. This particular bird landed on one of the jagged rocks and methodically spread his wings and turned slowly to a small group of vultures, all while keeping his wings fully extended. He held this position for over ten minutes.
Why was this vulture doing this? Is it a communication to other vultures?
Why were there so many vultures circling in one particular area?
At one point, another vulture was closing and opening his wings methodically- why was he doing this?
Vultures are so fascinating and do a ton of creepy and gross things so we’d love to learn more about their behaviors.
How do you enter?
Email your entry to urbanbirds@cornell.edu.
1. Write “AMOC_YourFirstNameLastName_state” in the subject line. (use the 2-letter abbreviation for state in which the photo was taken)
2. Include your name and mailing address in the body of the e-mail.
3. Tell us why you submitted your entry to the Murder of Crows challenge; what’s the story behind it?
4. Read terms of agreement.
5. If you are submitting a visual image attach it as a .jpg
6. If you agree to the terms, send us your entry before October 31!
7. One image per entry, please
You can win some pretty wicked cool prizes!!
* EagleOptics Vortex binoculars, waterproof and fog-proof body, 10x 32, multi-coated optics, bright optics, small handy size, easy to carry
* ALPEN binoculars, 8×30, wide angle, long eye relief, with super close IPD (inter pupillary Distance, which means eye pieces can be adjusted close together so kids can use them)
* CD’s, books, posters, plush bird dolls with bird calls inside, and more.
* Birding for Everyone book by John C Robinson…Encouraging people of color to become birdwatchers
* The first fifty entrants will get a poster illustrated by Pedro Fernandes. This wonderful poster illustrates and describes behaviors of crows, jays, and other birds. We’ll also post selected entries on the Encyclopedia of Life and Celebrate Urban Birds websites.
Read more information and enter now!!
World Bird Sanctuary Live Raptor Show – Starved Rock State Park
January 28, 2009
Article in: Birding
This is the third time we’ve watched the World Bird Sanctuary’s live raptor show at the Illinois Audubon Society’s Bald Eagle Weekend, but this was by far the best for photography.
First up was probably our favorite raptor in the world, the Harris’s Hawk. This is Sheldon and he flew over the crowd’s heads, causing an eruption of “oohs” and “ahhs”.
Next up was Turk, the Turkey Vulture. Some people call these fine birds “ugly” and “gross”. They do a lot for the ecosystem by cleaning up dead animals. We think they are just plain cool.
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31 Cool Bird Facts #22 – Turkey Vulture
October 22, 2008
Article in: Birding
Graceful in the sky, Turkey Vultures are far from ugly
The Turkey Vulture is often unappreciated even with their important role on the carrion clean-up crew. Although they will also sometimes eat crops and other vegetation, carrion comprises most of their diet. Turkey Vultures have a well-developed sense of smell (more than most other birds) to help them find their smelly food.
Cool Fact 1: Turkey vultures have been used to detect the location of natural gas leaks, because they will circle over the leak lured by the rotten-meat odor added to the gas. -Woodland Park Zoo
I am beautiful
Cool Fact 2: One of a vulture’s frequently used defense mechanisms is to throw up. This accomplishes two things: It lightens its personal load and makes it easier to fly away and, at the same time, momentarily stuns, confuses or disgusts its potential predator. – WindStar Wildlife Institute
Vultures are portrayed in many comedic stereotypical forms as desert-circling-last-moment-before-death birds, ugly and stupid. But in reality, they are graceful fascinating creatures that help keep our environment clean and healthy.
