I feel we don’t give vultures all of the love they deserve. When you think about all of the nasty stuff they uncomplainingly eliminate, and what the world would possibly appear like in the event that they didn’t, it appears we might be extra grateful.
I, nonetheless, am a fan of vultures. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to get shut views of two huge Previous World Vulture species, the Eurasian Griffon and the Egyptian Vulture. Right here in Mexico, I can nearly all the time depend on Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures to pad every outing’s record by two species. Sometimes I’ve been fortunate sufficient to see Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures in tropical Mexico. Alas, though I used to be as soon as a California boy, I’ve by no means seen a California Condor. Again in these days, there have been solely about three dozen of them to be seen, wherever. (Fortunately, the present world inhabitants is now above 550.)
One among my favourite “vultures”, nonetheless, is just not actually a vulture. Extra on that in a bit.
As I mentioned, Previous World Vultures are usually very massive. The wingspan for Egyptian Vultures can attain 1.7 meters (5.5 toes), regardless that it is without doubt one of the smallest of this group. Eurasian Griffons can clock in with a really spectacular 2.3-2.8 m (7.5-9.2 toes) wingspan. What’s extra, the Griffon can weigh nearly ten occasions the Egyptian Vulture’s weight.
Turkey Vultures have a wingspan and weight much like that of Egyptian Vultures. Black Vultures are a bit smaller than all these different species.
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The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture seems similar to the Turkey Vulture, however is a bit smaller. The primary time I noticed one, I assumed it was, certainly, a Turkey Vulture. However because it had flown very shut overhead, my images had been adequate to disclose its — watch for it — yellow (and violet) head.
However the Yellow-headed Vulture is just not the one species that may simply be mistaken for a Turkey Vulture. Zone-tailed Hawks go for Turkey Vultures, not due to a detailed relationship, however for a lot sneakier causes. Which I discover fascinating.
Vultures, you see, are secure birds for smaller creatures. No want to fret a couple of vulture, until you might be lifeless. And technically, you additionally received’t want to fret if you are lifeless. So they’re very comforting scavengers, total.
Zone-tailed Hawks, nonetheless, are very keen on contemporary meat. And the way do they get this contemporary meat? By pretending to be inoffensive Turkey Vultures. Similar darkish our bodies, silvery flight feathers, and, largely, silvery tail. They even are likely to fly amongst Turkey Vultures, hovering with their wings held in the identical slightly-V-shaped place. Then they drop out of the flock, and pounce. At which level, in case you are a small creature, you are lifeless.
Zone-tailed Hawks breed within the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, however they winter from Mexico to Brazil. I as soon as noticed one in summer season, two hours north of Morelia, however all my different sightings had been at decrease elevations, in the course of the winter.
Till not too long ago, I had by no means seen a Zone-tailed Hawk in Morelia. However two weeks in the past, my Cuban ornithologist pal and church member went to verify for geese on the pond close to our auditorium, after our Sunday service ended. He had the great sense to pay shut consideration to a low-gliding vulture overhead… And instantly, he referred to as me excitedly on the cellphone. Pablo! A Zone-tailed Hawk! I went operating — not a fairly sight, I confess — and the hawk was type sufficient to fly immediately overhead as I arrived. Hawk-shaped head and invoice? Examine. Darkish recommendations on the flight feathers? Examine. A “zoned” tail? Examine!
It was good to not be a small creature, at that second.