Bet You Don't Know Anyone Else With Pet Buzzards. :lol:

[tex]

How's this for offbeat pictures - something you're not likely to see everyday? LOL.

These guys were raised in a nest in a tree behind my office, and some mornings they come down and visit with my cats. I suspect they would eat them if they got a chance, because unlike turkey vultures, (the ones with the red heads), black vultures are known to kill newborn lambs if they get hungry enough. The cats have quicker reflexes than newborn lambs, though, so they just step out of the way, when approached.









That's an old cigar butt the one on the left is nibbling on.



Cute, ain't they?

Tex

[starfire]

The cat is. Cute, I mean.

[MaggieRedwings]

Tex,

Great shots. The Turkey Vulture is one of my favorite birds. Without them the planet would be a rotting mess. They are gorgeous in their own right. Have to be an avid birder to appreciate them. Love the cigar butt.

Love, Maggie

[Rebecca2z]

Those are very fine looking vultures, I think they are beautiful and these black ones without the red on their heads are very cute.

I know their preferred meal is a nice, ripe body and I think they basically lack sharp talons that are capable of killing prey. There have been some studies that suggest they do prefer fresh meat but don't have a strong enough beak.

For sure if desperate they will take a live animal. I have seen many eagles who are totally opportunistic take live prey. But basically these big birds don't want to work too hard for their food.
(They whole reason the head is bare is because a feathered head would collect pieces and parts off a carcass it was sticking its head in at dinner time, possibly resulting in infection.)

Really amazing photos Tex, that would make me very nervous to have my cat that close though, but based on the cats posture I 'd say that is no one to mess with! These vultures don't seem to be shy at all.

Last year I had the opportunity of watching a family of our endangered California condor, so fascinating. ( on a live cam)

As Maggie said they are nature’s “cleanup crew” and may actually help curb the spread of disease. They must have some amazing stomach acid !!

Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed seeing these.
~ if I can figure out how to post photo's I will share some of my birdies !

[tex]

To add one or more photos to a post, just click on the link below the message composing window (at the lower left corner) that says "Add image to post" and a window will open to allow you to browse to the photo you want to select. Just follow the directions. The necessary code will be automatically added to your post. It can be cut and pasted to a different location as long as you are careful to keep it intact.

The link doesn't appear below the "Quick Reply window". So if you want to add a photo to a response in an existing thread, just click on the "postreply" button below the thread and a regular posting window will appear.

Tex

[Rebecca2z]

Hey you got my avatar up - thanks Tex !

Also thank you for the directions on posting images, I will give it a try !

[Erica P-G]

Very cool bird indeed! They are pretty even if we know what they devour

I'm sure your livestock are used to their presence by now
E