Missouri Turkey Vultures

[maryannlewis]

Hi jp,
I looked up the black vultures when I was researching what I was seeing.  They just don't seem to come as far north as Connecticut.  The birds I saw around my yard were in late August or early September.  I can't find anything indigenous to this area that might fit the description except Golden Eagles, and I'm sure it's not them. 

One of these days I'll have my camera in hand when they are swooping around, and will get a good picture.  The one good chance I had was while walking,  A woman told me there was a TV sitting on a bridge just around a bend where I was.  I had my camera in hand, but when I got there the TV was gone.  <sigh>  I'll keep stalking them.

Mary Ann

[vanillabar]

 HI Mary Ann - IN Aug or Sept could be Juvie TV  from the same year . I think the head turns red about 1 year old.  Good luck with getting a picture - post when you do.  I am going to post the picture I have of the pair on the pole,  they look totaly black but it is from a distance.   Next time they all roost in the  dead pine tree with their wings open I will try to get a picture,  it is awesome when so many gather like that spookey :-)  When they cluster and circle and climb the thermals  almost looks like they are have fun  if a TV can have fun.  I have seen as many as 26 at one time  usually about 6 or 7  jp

[AliceWitt]

I found about 600 pictures of turkey vultures at
http://www.google.com/search?q=turkey+vultures&hl=en&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS450US451&site=webhp&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=TmPfTtjQNKrO2wXJk5GCBQ&sqi=2&ved=0CGQQsAQ&biw=1248&bih=584

It may help to show the differences in coloring. Mostly have the red head or at least the red face; but some are dark and are adults.

Got interested in the picture of the lady holding the vulture and found it is part of the "Birds of Prey" nonprofit organization.
Broomfield art and gift sale a little bird-brained this yearEvent to feature Birds of Prey Foundation, will feature avian guests
By Joe Rubino, Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 12/05/2011 09:39:11 PM MST
http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_19477416


And of course you can always count on Cornell to have good information and pictures (including the black turkey vulture).
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Turkey_Vulture/id

Drying Wings Road Block.  

[vanillabar]

thanks for the info and pictures I cant imagine holding one like a falcon.  and the drying wings is a good one - they do that in my old pine tree.  So now we know about the dark heads being adults  thanks.

[maryannlewis]

Hi folks, taking a brief work break

I emailed Amy asking when the camera would come on. 

From Amy:

All I can tell you is spring - I don't have a history on this nest. A little google searching suggested that they lay eggs between April and June, so I imagine that they would come back in March or April. We will turn the cam on as soon as they show up.

The pictures look great, I'll come back later and take a closer look at them all!

Mary Ann

[Nora in IA]

I'm REALLY looking forward to this cam!  Meanwhile, I found this in the magazine website for "Iowa Outdoors".  With the first link it will take you to some very interesting bird and other articles, the bottom right one is on turkey vultures in Iowa that explains a lot about them and has some neat pictures.

Nature & Wildlife

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/IowaOutdoorsMagazine/NatureWildlife.aspx

Direct link to the TV's

http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/Iowa%20Outdoors%20Magazine/Nature/files/TurkeyVultures.pdf?amp;tabid=789

[patis]

Those are two very interesting sites.. the turkey buzzards are just short of gross(sorry) but interesting and the other ..wow,I didn't know that location existed or I would have visited it in my travels,when I used to could do that....Thank you.

[maryannlewis]

Nora, that article was really good!  Thank you for sharing it.  I am developing more appreciation for TVs every day it seems. 

Mary Ann

[vanillabar]

Nora, that article was really good!  Thank you for sharing it.  I am developing more appreciation for TVs every day it seems. 

Mary Ann

Hi  speaking of TV  I was driving over Pardee Damm today and saw about 20 of them climbing the thermals over the dam  from a distance and on the wing they dont look bad at all .jp

[mayreee]

Hello, Rchip!   

Lots going on today with the Decorah Eagles.  Here is a link to the Beak Room. There's room for everybody:

http://raptorresource.org/forum/index.php/topic,944.0.html

[mrsfalcon]

Cool photos! We just got some from the Turkey Vulture guys, taken last year. I put them on flickr. The babies are so adorable, they should really be on cute overload instead! Here is a link to the set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68092929@N03/sets/72157629272991327/

We are looking at going live towards the end of March, I believe.

Amy Ries

[vanillabar]

thanks Amy for sharing the pictures  cute and fluffy  I am sure we have a nest near here but cant find it our resident pair is always on or near our power pole  but I am getting to old to go venturing out to find it. waiting for the camera to go live  and I am also on Decorah Egg watch 

[maryannlewis]

Turkey vulture just outside my back yard.  I am looking forward to adding this cam to the ones I watch!  This guy was probably a 2011 bird, since his head hasn't turned red yet.  I see these beauties almost every day.  I hope to get a really good picture someday.



Mary Ann

[ruesgram]

Thanks Mayree, for your post in Beak about these turkey vultures.  Here in WV, I've seen them my whole life.  We always mistakenly called them buzzards. I know better now! We were always disgusted by their looks and their food choices. (rotten road kill , yuck) Then I fell in love with the Decorah eagles and now I have such an appreciation for all raptors.  I can hardly wait for the cam to begin. Thanks to Bob, Amy and RRP for making all this happen!

[Adler]

A vulture nest cam !
Don't know what to think about that.
I used to have something like 20 Vultures sitting on our decks and could not stand them and their destructiveness and stench.
There are now only 3 or 4 on the roof deck and I may have to take another look at them and learn to like them....maybe  
One popped a hole in my grandsons elaborate blow up pool , I was watching it and was speechless.
The vulture landed on the deck, popped the pool and slowly left.
I will be taking a peek into the Missouri nest and see if I can fall in love with the babies like I did with the Decorah eagles.
Thanks for posting the link.