The Turkey vulture is one of the more commonly viewed yet least studied of the birds of prey. Southern California provides a year-round home for these beneficial birds, yet those vultures who live in northernmost areas of the country fly south in the fall. This accounts for larger numbers of Turkey Vultures seen in our area in the fall and winter. An amazing instinct in the Turkey Vultures is their return to their summer feeding grounds on the Vernal Equinox- the same day that the swallows return to Capistrano each year. It is however, unlikely that a famous song will be written about the vultures' return to their home base since the swallows returning to Capistrano has a much nicer ring to it.

Many people view vultures with disdain, yet their benefits to our environment are enormous. The Turkey Vulture feeds solely on carrion (dead animals). His feet are not strong enough, nor is his beak tough enough to attack and eat a live animal. The vulture must rely on road kills and leftovers from predators in order to survive. In short, they are our natural "sanitation engineers". Of all the New World vultures, only the Turkey Vulture has a sense of smell. In fact, it is speculated that the Turkey vulture has the keenest sense of smell of all animals. Because of this, the Turkey Vulture is often first on the scene at a road kill. His presence then attracts other carrion eaters, such as the Golden Eagle. Both the vulture and the eagle, because of their size, are slow to take flight from the ground. Unfortunately, this accounts for many "hit by car" injuries to these birds.

The Turkey vulture with its 6-foot wingspan, holding its wings in a broad "V" and tilting from side to side, is one of the most beautiful birds in the sky. The adult has a distinct red, almost bald head. A featherless head prevents bacteria on carrion from spreading and allows the vulture to eat with great gusto. Juveniles, emerging in late summer, have dark gray heads with tiny white wisps of feathers. They are otherwise indistinguishable from the adults.

Turkey Vultures often succumb to or become ill from secondary poisoning, by eating the carcass of a poisoned animal. Our man-made rodenticides wreak havoc, not just with vultures, but with many other scavenger birds and mammals as well.

One unique feature about the Turkey Vulture is the ability of his digestive system to kill all bacteria and viruses found in the decaying or diseased carcasses upon which he feeds. The fecal by-product from this vulture is completely sanitized in the digestive process which prevents any further spread of bacteria or viruses to other animals. Studies are currently underway involving the Turkey Vulture's marvelous ability to disinfect carcasses of rodents who carry the deadly Hantavirus.

Turkey Vultures perform a wonderful and beneficial service to our ecological system and, as with all birds of prey, they are Federally protected.

Of unique interest- those of you who frequently watch the skies over Ramona may witness what is possibly a "once in a lifetime" treat. Since late summer, Ramona skies have been the territory of an albino Turkey Vulture. In our research, we have thus far heard of only one other albino- one in captivity. There may be others, but this is nonetheless a rare event we are able to witness. This vulture is an adult with the distinctive red head and white beak. In flight, the bird appears to be pure white. When roosting, the top feathers are tinged with brown streaks. A sighting two months ago indicated that the top feathers were pure white also. Apparently as the bird molts, some feathers are becoming brow-streaked. Should you spot this vulture, please call us to keep us informed. We'd be very interested in the territory being covered. So far, all reported sightings have been within a mile of the Highland Valley Rd./ Hwy 67 intersection.

Even if you never see the white vulture, occasionally glance to the skies. A soaring "kettle" of Turkey Vultures is a sight to behold.

Related Links:

• Turkey Vulture Society

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