I was able to spot some more "new to me" birds today. Here in Florida (and other places in North America) there are Black Vultures. Here is my entry for the #smap contest this week.
I was used to seeing Turkey Vultures or "Turkey Buzzards" as we called them in Colorado, those have red heads and are a little bigger. These can get almost 5 pounds (2200g) and have a wingspan of 59 inches (150 cm).
I saw one of these near my house yesterday, and thought maybe it was a small turkey, but then got a better look and could tell it was not.
For these two I was able to snap a few pics with my smartphone from the car as I was coming home from the hardware store. When I got home and zoomed in a bit, I could tell their tasty feast for the day was a squished Armadillo on the side of the road.
Unlike Turkey Vultures which are strictly carrion eaters, the Black Vultures will also target helpless newborn livestock. Apparently, this has caused quite a stir about them from ranchers in Oklahoma, Missouri, and other U.S. states, hence the clickbait title :)
All photo's original work by the author of this post.
Shot with Pixel Fold Smartphone.
Florida Vultures are protected. But that did not stop one from trying to fly into the cab of my truck some years back. It was on the Florida Turnpike just south east of Wildwood. I had to pull over to the shoulder after it completely smashed my windshield. The window was still intact to drive home. But really hard to see out of.
The Black Vulture did not survive and became wedged on the passenger sidearm brackets for the mirror. I put on my gloves. Climbed up on the side steps of the passenger door. Grabbed the bird by the wing and went to give it a hard toss into the ditch and it was so light I flung it twice as far as I had thought I could. Such a big bird that only weighed a couple pounds. Not heavy like a turkey.
And STANKY..! They smell dead just like what they eat.
The Wildlife Centers of Virginia have a Great Video about Vultures. Definitely Worth a L👀k.
Fun Fact
They piss & shit on themselves. Uhhhg
i think I just threw up in my mouth a little thinking about it... 🤢🤮
Me trying to drive home with that busted windshield...
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Wow, that's a big bird to hit the window. Definitely not squishing out like a June Bug...
!PIZZA
Oh wow, that is pretty crazy. I have seen turkey vultures before. Those things are just ugly! These ones don't look so bad, but I know they are probably voracious!
Yes, in some states they are supposedly quite a problem for eating newborn livestock, swooping down just after birth and going for the eyeballs first... They've been on the protected list for awhile, but not sure if they need to stay that way. lol
!INDEED
Wow, that's horrible!
(1/10)
@bozz! @ksteem Totally agrees with your content! so I just sent 1 IDD to your account on behalf of @ksteem.
There is a scientific study that showed that it was able to digest iron... that's how powerful gastric juice is. Beautiful animals.
Powerful juice !INDEED
They are certainly not as ugly as the Turkey Vultures, but don't want them circling over my head!
jajaja
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@biologistbrito! @ksteem Totally agrees with your content! so I just sent 1 IDD to your account on behalf of @ksteem.
I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but definitely not as ugly as the Turkey Vultures imho.
Yum, Armadillo soup! :)
Lol, yes it's Armadillo !PIZZA
We have the regular Vulture up here on Long Island NY. They are new in the last few decades. These Black ones are new to me.
Black Vulture Range >>>
New to me as well. That's a pretty big range for them.
!PIZZA
Turkey vulture range >>>
What an encounter, the feasting pair of vultures! 🙂
!INDEED
Yes, it was. Especially being a new bird for me! I should really start lugging the camera around, or at least my old one. I'm too afraid my good one being stolen.
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@nelinoeva! @ksteem Totally agrees with your content! so I just sent 1 IDD to your account on behalf of @ksteem.
Wow, you found a very beautiful bird, and you photographed it very well.
Sending love and curation Ecency vote. keep giving the best♥️
Thank you and thank you!
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View or trade
BEER.Hey @riyat, here is a little bit of
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BEERKING.I have never seen this bird, it is very black. Amazing Photography
Yes, I had never seen them either except perhaps circling high above. It was interesting to see them that close. Thank you.
Never heard nor seen these, cleaners on the roadside waiting for roadkill or swooping in on innocent newborn they live up to their name Black Vultures....
Actually looks an interesting bird to see at a distance.
Yes, quite fascinating, I wish I could have been outside vehicle with the big camera to watch them a while!
Normally when least prepared we see amazing things, excellent you managed some photographs of this sighting.
A unique pair of birds, I have never seen these birds before.
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