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CA NEWS

Sun City Vultures

Submitted by Steve Kelley, Wildlife Management Committee

One of the most common and least es- Black vulture PHOTOS BY SHERRY MCRAE
teemed of our Sun City birds is none
other than what many locals simply re- there have been numerous reports of Turkey vulture
fer to as “buzzards.” The word buzzard black vultures attacking live animals,
is really a misnomer, as what we actu- especially those that have been injured annoying aspects of vultures is a tenden-
ally have soaring overhead are properly or become helpless. There is no danger cy to gather on residential rooftops. The
named vultures. There are three spe- to humans from the birds, and they will birds seem to be attracted to ridge vents
cies of vulture in North America: the take flight if approached. and other sources of updrafts that allow
California condor, the Turkey vulture them to sun and dry out their wings. Vul-
and the Black vulture. Both the Black In Sun City, the migrating vultures tures often leave unpleasant odors and
and Turkey vultures exhibit a healthy have found several roosting sites along droppings behind and will occasionally
presence year-round in Sun City. Al- creek and river bottoms on which they damage roof shingles. The Wildlife Man-
though these vultures are migratory, tend to congregate. During the winter agement Committee and our consulting
some individuals appear to find a de- months, their numbers can reach into biologist attempt to continuously monitor
sirable area and establish permanent the thousands. As spring approaches, complaints from residents experiencing
residency. The Turkey vulture is the the majority continue to migrate and damage to rooftops. When necessary,
larger, lankier of the two, sporting a red numbers dwindle to a more “tolerable” measures have been taken to break up
head and a greater amount of white un- population level. large roosts of vultures and discourage
derneath its wings. Historically, Black an overabundant population, which can
vultures have been found primarily in During cooler seasons, one of the most lead the birds to settle on roofs due to
southern Texas and Mexico, but much overcrowded roosts. The Migratory Bird
like white-winged doves, they have Treaty Act federally protects all vultures,
continued to increase and adapt to our so options to control the species are quite
area. The stocky, shorter bodied Black limited. Having a biologist who has the
vulture has a grayish black head and ability to obtain the necessary permits
more rounded wings and tail. In flight, and permissions to utilize management
the Turkey vulture predominately soars, tools for vultures has been a great asset
while the Black vulture flaps its wings to our community. For the most part,
much more often. The primary diet of even if a vulture may only be truly ap-
both species consists of carrion; however, pealing to another vulture, these birds
the more aggressive Black vulture has serve an extremely significant role in
been known to kill and eat small live the environment. They are the constant
prey. Since the Black vulture has a much carrion clean-up crew of nature, and can
weaker sense of smell, these birds often be an amazing sight floating on the rising
follow Turkey vultures searching for a thermal currents for hours on end.
meal, then swoop in and chase the Tur-
key vultures away. Throughout Texas,

June Schedule: Landscaped Maintained Homes

Next LMH meeting
Wednesday, June 3, 10 a.m., AC MR 3/4

JUNE Scheduled Landscaping Maintenance
Four visits for mowing, edging and trimming

Monthly Irrigation Check • Weeding of Bed Areas
Shrub Pruning • Insect & Disease Monitoring

Questions or suggestions
Email: David Longacre - [email protected]
Email: Aaron Johnson - [email protected]

12 | SUNRAYS JUNE 2015 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG