2sDay: Turkey Vultures

posted in: 2sDay, Birds, Lens Friends | 24

For 2sDay I’m sharing some photos of two turkey vultures that was saw on the roof of an old barn along our road.  It was a sunny morning as we were driving home and the vultures were just coming in to land on the roof.  We were able to pull over to the side of the road and get some fantastic photos.  It pays to always take the camera when we go out.

the turkey vultures by craftygardener.ca

I love the lightening rods on the roof of the barn.

the turkey vultures by craftygardener.ca

At first only one of the vultures or buzzards had its wings spread.  They can sit for hours with their wings like this just warming themselves.

A group of vultures is called a committee.  I don’t think two makes a committee.

the turkey vultures by craftygardener.ca

Then both of them stretched out their wings to enjoy the sun.  The wing span is about 6 feet or 2 meters.  These are scavenger birds that get their name as it resembles a wild turkey, especially the head.

the turkey vultures by craftygardener.ca

Their head is  bald so bits of dead meat or carrion doesn’t stick to the feathers.  Not the prettiest of birds.

the turkey vultures by craftygardener.ca

We usually see a pair of these turkey vultures flying over the fields looking for food.  Years ago we saw them on the side of the road but I wasn’t quick enough to capture a photo of them.  They were probably after some road kill.

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24 Responses

  1. ann

    Those are AMAZING shots of the vultures. Can’t say I’ve seen ones this close up. The wing span is very impressive.
    I’d say they are ready.
    Ann

  2. betty - NZ

    I can’t call them pretty, no matter how I try, but your images of them are just gorgeous!

  3. ABC Wednesday

    In The Netherlands we call them Roodkopgier… liturally translated that sais: Red Hed Vulture… seems appropriate doesn’t it…
    They look ugly on first glance but at a second look….you see the beautfy

    Have a splendid, ♥-warming ABC-Wednes-day / -week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♪ (ABC-W-team)

  4. Nicola

    I saw a ‘committee’ of five of them once, alongside a local creek. Didn’t know what they were at first.

    They may not be pretty but they are useful at cleaning up!

  5. Catweasel

    I’ve never seen these birds in the wild, and yours are amongst the best photos I have seen of them.

    Not the prettiest heads, no. If you spent most of your dinner time with your head inside your dinner I think you would prefer a shaved head too. The spread wings do make up for it in their magnificence, though.

    Trust me, I’m a doctor.

  6. Betty Crow

    Wonderful series of shots! They are not pretty birds, but they sure are useful.

  7. Diane

    As with my recently updated blog with vultures, yours are no more beautiful than mine, but they do a great job of keeping the countryside clean. Some great shots here. Diane

  8. Elaine

    Awesome captures. We have them soaring over our house and valley . They are ugly in the face but beautiful and majestic in the air as they soar over head catching the wind currant . Thanks for sharing . Have a good weekend !

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