BirdWalk Newsletter 4.2.2017 Walk conducted by Perry Nugent Newsletter written by Jayne J Matney Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Vultures! On a global scale, vultures are divided into two groups-Old World and New World species. The traditional Old World species are separated into their own taxa because they are not associated with the others. Old World vultures are found in Europe, Africa, and Asia, while the New World vultures are located in North and South America. Therefore, vultures are on all continents except for Photo by Paula Collins Antarctica and Australia. In this area, the Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) and the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) are present in our skies. Until very recently, New World vultures were thought to be related to the stork, but new DNA evidence indicates they are more closely related to our birds of prey. There are actually seven different species of New World vultures. In general, they have bald heads to prevent dirty feathers on the head when eating dead carcasses, but also for thermoregulation. Most people would not, at first exposure to them, think of them as endearing. But once you get to know them, vultures can be considered endearing because of their tight social structure and behaviors as well as what they provide for us environmentally.

Photo by Richard Hernandez Basically, vultures congregate in groups, and depending upon what they are doing will determine what the group is called. “Kettle” is a reference to these birds in flight while a “committee” rests or roost in trees, and a “wake” is distinguished by a group that is feeding. Vultures rarely attack animals except if they are sickly or wounded. They are gluttons when food is available, and then sleep off the day’s feast- much like some people at Thanksgiving. Even though vultures prefer areas of forests next to open space, or farmland ranges, they are well known for being adaptive to human existence. They are quite often spied along roads, dumpsters, landfills, and garbage dumps, and can often be seen roosting on electrical pylons. Vultures are monogamous, feed their young by regurgitation for as long as eight months after fledging, and roost in communities so that they can reunite with others. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes the vulture to have a very “fierce family loyalty” and social bonding unlike most other birds. Black vultures actually hunt for food with the turkey vultures because the turkey vultures have a much better sense of smell. Once the carcass is found, the black Photo by Jo Frkovich vultures will begin forming their wake and share the winnings, which scares the turkey vultures away because they prefer to feed individually by taking turns. Being solitary feeders, the wake will be too intimidating to the turkey vulture and will eventually vacate the carcass leaving the black vulture scavengers with the “pickings”. Sometimes black vultures have been seen wading after floating carcasses. A well evolved stomach of steel, the vulture’s stomach acidity is so high that they can digest what other animals cannot- even rotten and infected carrion that other scavengers cannot. They will evade predators by regurgitating at them and lightening their own load to get away. In courtship, the vultures, like most raptors, will have special dances in flight which resemble a “follow the leader” behavior. They don’t put much effort into nest building in caves, crevices, ledges, and thickets – all on the ground. The 2 eggs (this number is almost always the case) are pale gray- green with brown blotches. Both vultures in the pair will take turns incubating as well as feeding the Photo by Jo Frkovich hatchlings. They do this by regurgitating food out of their crops to the young. Both types of vultures soar high in the air using warm thermals to carry them with less use of their own energy. It is interesting to note that the Black vulture has short, quick wing beats and soars very proficiently, but the turkey vulture has more of a strong, deep wingbeat and is a bit wobbly in their soaring skills.

Photo by Jo Frkovich Appearances are different with these two types of vultures as well. To contrast for identification purposes, the black vulture is glossy black with white inner primary feathers and white-shaped stars on the underwing, has a dark bill at the base with ivory to yellow tip which is narrow with a hook at the end, and has a bare, small, black head. Its wings are broad and rounded and the tail is short and rounded. The black vulture holds its wings differently from the turkey vulture while soaring. The turkey vulture’s wings are also broad, but are two toned underneath which is very noticeable when soaring. The head of the turkey vulture is primarily red although young ones do have black heads. The tail is longer than the black vulture’s tail and the broad wings have noticeable wing tips like fingers.

Fun Facts:  Vultures hiss instead of talk  New World vultures urinate down their legs for protection against, and reflection of the sunlight. In addition, this acid kills bacteria that could otherwise be found there after eating on putrid carcasses and can also be a coolant during evaporation.  Even though Turkey Vultures outnumber the Black Vultures, the Black Vulture is the most numerous vulture in the Western Hemisphere.  The oldest fossil of vulture was found in Europe dating back at least 34 million years.  The oldest Black Vulture was at least 25 years and 6 months while the oldest Turkey Vulture on record was at least 16 years and 10 months.  Black Vultures are known to prevent nonrelative vultures to come into their roosting community.  As vulgar as the dead carcasses are, vultures are selective enough to leave behind the scent glands of skunks!  Vultures have excellent immunities. Outrageous diseases such as anthrax, botulism and cholera can be killed by the stomach acids and immune

systems of this bird’s body.

Photo by Paula Collins

Photo by Jo Frkovich Natalie Hendrickson, of the Center for Birds of Prey in Awendaw, S.C., is quick to point out that the vultures here in this country are primarily killed by automobiles (because of their tendency to eat road kill), and lead poisoning from gunshot pellets they may eat while feeding. Pesticides were a distinct problem in the past which is not as problematic as before but can also be a factor. The vulture’s inaccurate stereotype of being nasty, disease causing animals to have around has caused major declines in some areas. But now scientist are discovering that vultures actually prevent disease by cleaning up and preventing other scavengers (mammal scavengers such as coyote, dogs, and wild cats) that are more undesirable from coming in and overpopulating and carrying disease that can be passed on to humans. A case which is used as a study on this phenomenon was in India and Nepal. A veterinary drug, used on animals and found in animal carcasses of which vultures consumed, built up within the vulture tissues which caused death and a decline in their population. Because of the lack of concern over this misunderstood group of birds, India was very late in responding to this decline. Now they are suffering from infectious diseases in their country and will not recover the vulture populations for many decades to come. From a conservational standpoint here in North America, the Black Vulture populations have increased during the 1966 to 2014 census. Prior to this, the vultures were being hunted and killed because of misunderstandings until the 1970’s when attitudes changed. DDT pesticides were also a key factor for their demise, but this was remedied soon enough for a comeback for many types of birds impacted. Now, they are numerous and are not on the watch list. They get a “least concern” status by the IUCN. The moral of the story? Vultures are our friends. We need to protect them.

This past Sunday, 4.2.2017, fifty-seven species were spotted with six participants involved in the investigation. The nesting of birds is in full swing and babies of early nesters are being seen! Wood Duck with their ducklings appeared for the seekers giving a total of 22. A pair of Canadian Geese, 75 Blue-winged Teal, 7 pied-billed Grebe, 2 Double Crested Cormorant, 60 Moorhen, and 60 American Coot were in attendance as well. The Anhinga are dominating the trees with many nests. The Great Blue Heron, are starting to tend to their babies, while the Great Egret, Snowy Egret, and White Ibis are following suit by settling on nests. The Audubon Swamp is also housing these birds in addition to Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, and Wood Stork. A Wilson’s Snipe at the cross dike and over one hundred Laughing Gulls flying over added more to the list. A highlight of the walk was seeing the Swallow-tailed Kite near Ravenswood. Some other highlights for the group were the nest building antics of the White- eyed Vireo and the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher this week! Not only did they see the usual Carolina Wren scattered all over the property, but the birdwatchers also located a House Wren near the cabin area. The Savannah Sparrow and the Swamp Sparrow made the list as well. Always an added “must see” were the Bald Eagles. This week the bird watchers were able to see 1 adult and 2 juveniles (one of which was a “this year’s” baby)!

3 Red-shouldered Hawk showed their majestic attitudes. 2 Osprey

showed off their skills. Red-bellied, Downy, and Pileated Woodpecker were all accounted for this week. Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Tree Swallow, Ruby- crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, and Pine Warbler made this list as well. To round out the crew of birds located on the property on this day included: Mourning Dove, Common Yellowthroat, Tree Swallow, “Osprey” Photo by Chuck Fuhrman American and Fish Hawk, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Mockingbird, Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, and Boat-tailed Grackle.