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March 1, 2011 | 
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Pair of Black Vultures
Palmetto SP
Black and Turkey Vultures were nesting in large flocks when I visited Palmetto State Park in south Texas. Really impressive birds, and surprisingly skittish.
turkey vulture warming himself in the morning sun
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mixed flocks 20-30 turkey and black vultures
Posted in Birding
Something about vultures has always made me think of them as looking quite regal. I think they’re terribly handsome birds, though I seem to be in a minority with that thought.
And that last photo is totally cool! I love seeing both our vulture species hanging out together.
Hi Jason, I agree with you on all counts, especially after spending a couple of days with them. I have never been amongst such a large number of roosting vultures. The turkey and black vultures mixed easily and the groups seemed companionable – no squabbling. I came away from that trip with a renewed sense of respect for these majestic birds.
I like vultures personally, and LOVE the way they fly/glide. In India, they’re trying to bring them back (one of their native species is close to extinction) because they’re drowning in roadkill.
Also I think the way Amber shot the Black Vultures, their bodies almost look like they’re covered in plush black velvet.
Hi Sandy, YES – their circular, soaring flight was awesome to see at such close range and in such large numbers. I can easily think of the common reaction to soaring vultures – something dead must be around. Even that circling vultures are harbingers of doom. As you say, without vultures, animals that die of natural or man-made causes (like roadkill) would tend to take a lot longer to return to the food chain.
We have tons of vultures where I live. I am very near a quarry and they love the updrafts for soaring. We have a pair that have used an old barn behind where I work for raising their young for past 4 years and are back again
. When we see “Earl ” and “Bertha” in the open barn window, we know spring is coming!
Sara, what a great story! For those who wrinkle up their noses at the mention or sight of vultures, something as simple as realizing that they, too, build nests, lay eggs, and raise their young – might just UN-wrinkle those noses.
Here’s to another Spring for Earl & Bertha!
Great vulture shots Amber. That first photo of the two Black Vultures is awesome! Cool seeing the two species together also. We only have the Turkey Vulture here in California.
I’m in Baytown, TX, not far from High Island and Anahuac NWR. Today I saw a Black Vulture plop himself down on a tree right alongside the growing numbers of Roseate Spoonbills, Great White Herons, and cormorants (not sure which kind). The Black and Turkey Vultures had their own ginormous tree already staked out, so I guess this one was just checking out his neighbors’ pad.