June 29, 2018
Pacific Northwest
I expected to see them feasting, when I heard there were a lot of turkey vultures gathered in field of cows and sheep. But once I got there, all the vultures were resting quietly, mostly up high, occasionally flying from one perch to another. Hence, a committee, not a wake (a group of vultures feeding) nor a kettle (a group in the air).
Nevertheless, it was pretty cool to see so many in one place on this rainy summer day. Hanging out in a fir tree.
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And on the last bit of roof peak of this old broken down barn:
Looking at those vultures more closely I see bits of white fluff on them, contrasting with their sleek dark brown plumage. What might that signify?
Next to the tree and old barn is a field where cows and sheep are right now. That includes calves and lambs.
Supporting the idea there’s scavenging going on here was the presence of bald eagles as well as vultures. I saw a raven come through too. These big birds are our primary scavengers.
A few vultures stood on the ground between the tree and the field. However whatever they are looking at is hidden behind the rise of the hill and tall vegetation. At one point I saw an individual holding its wings in a way that suggested mantling.
The birds intermittently flew from one perch to another. Vultures have very small feet for such big birds, just big enough to hold onto a perch. See this one’s feet as it lifts off from the barn and lands on the tree.
Mostly though, when not gazing off in the distance, the vultures were grooming.
What a vast expanse of feathers to maintain! Vultures are fastidious, spend as much time grooming as other birds.
In the still photos it looks like the vultures are statues...immobile. Some are. Others are combing feathers, ruffling wings. This 20-second video gives you a sense of the small movements going on in the tree.
So, what were all these vultures doing here this day? My guess is there was some tasty carrion available early this morning and our scavengers ate their fill, for now. It is sad for the animals who have died but they provide food for big birds, some of whom have nestlings to feed.
The vultures are hanging out in between rain showers, and possibly between meals.
Cloudy again today, with sprinkles starting. Rain forecast for the day and radar shows that coming in from the west.
What are you seeing in your natural neighborhood?
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