Turkey vultures are back in town and it’s reason to celebrate! With their beautiful iridescent wings and iconic bald heads, these charismatic birds have arguably the most essential job in the Willamette Valley.
Look for large birds making wobbly circles in the sky spring through fall, and you have spotted yourself a turkey vulture. Their boxy wings are dark with a band of white on their primaries and secondaries, or the lower part of the wing. Groups of vultures, also known as committees, can be seen roosting in trees along country roads. You may see them standing with their large wings outstretched, also known as a horaltic pose.
Having their wings out helps them soak up the sun to warm up and can also speed up drying their feathers when wet. They also can regulate their temperature by pooping on their feet, helping them cool down when it is too hot.
A common question about vultures is, “Why do they look like that?”
Many consider their bald heads and large nostrils ugly, but these features help them serve the ecosystem. Turkey vultures eat carrion, their featherless heads allowing them to reach into crevasses, such as an eye socket, all the while keeping clean. It is much easier to clean skin than it is to clean feathers.
Their enlarged nostrils also serve a purpose; unlike most birds, turkey vultures have a keen sense of smell. Their olfactory system is the strongest of all birds, allowing them to pinpoint their food from far away, an advantageous skill for a scavenger.
Without these backyard heroes, the valley would be overwhelmed; vultures are nature’s cleanup crew. While there are other detritivores (organisms that eat decaying organic matter) here in Oregon, most of them are very small and feed mainly on dead plants. Decomposition on this lower level is done by small invertebrates, fungi, and bacteria.
How are turkey vultures able to eat dead animals without getting sick? Well, their stomach fluids are stronger than battery acid, allowing them to consume toxins such as botulism, anthrax, and tuberculosis. Without their help, these materials could spread, potentially making livestock, wild animals, pets, and humans sick.
Every animal, fungus, and plant – living or dead – has its place in the ecosystem. While we tend to focus on animals with a clear place as predator or prey, scavengers like the turkey vulture are just as important. Instead of feeling afraid or disgusted by vultures, think about how important it is for them to be gross so the valley can be clean.
