Black Vulture
Recognition
A bulky bird with a shortish tail of about two feet in length. If you see the bird in flight, look for the pale grey wing tips. The wing span is up to an amazing five feet. The head is bald.In flight its wings are straight out.
Where seen
Sightings on a regular basis include roosting around the trees where the clubhouse dumpster is stored and opposite the shuffleboard courts just above the mangroves. In groups, in the fields opposite the Target store on Pine Island Road.
Jimmy’s notes
Often seen in small groups on the ground when they are feeding on carrion. In flight, its wings tend to be straight in line. Unlike the Turkey vulture, they often sit in groups in trees or in open fields on the ground sharing a meal of carrion.
Most vultures have a bald head in order to reduce the risk of catching some “‘orrible disease” caused by eating some recent or not so recently deceased food item! The word vulture is probably derived from the Latin word “velerre” meaning to pluck or tear.
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