H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S
CREATURES OF
Photos Š Bud Logan
THE NORTHWEST COAST Bud Logan
TURKEY VULTURES While my family and I were driving in the woods one day, we came across a group of vultures feeding on a deer carcass. We were able to get within three meters of these birds—and the smell was so bad we had to hold our breath. But we felt so lucky to experience the incredible sight of watching these birds feed. 2 0 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 2 6
Turkey Vultures are widely found in North America and are also known as turkey buzzards. The adults can weigh up to three kilos; reaching up to 85cm in length. The wingspan of the vultures can be about two metres. The name 'turkey' is given to them due to the bald, red head that closely resembles that of a wild turkey, and their feet closely resemble the feet of a chicken, which they cannot use to lift or carry food. Instead, their feet are specially designed to hold food in place while they tear it apart. Vultures are basically scavengers that feed on dead animals. They usually thrust their heads inside the carcass. The fact that their head is bald keeps it clean while eating. Turkey vultures have an extraordinary sense of smell, which enables them to find a dead animal within 24 hours of its death. They are also empowered with sharp eyesight, which helps them to search out food. If the need arises, turkey vultures can also live on vegetation. One of the most interesting, and unexpected, things about the turkey vulture is that it is a very gentle and non-aggressive bird. Adult females usually lay up to three eggs in a year. The incubation period is generally 40 days, after which the eggs hatch. All the responsibilities for incubating, as well as caring for the young ones, are shared by both parents.
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