Vultures, You See, and I Salsa, and I Was Counting on My Persimmon Guess You Could Say We’Re Picky Eaters Since I Preserves to Take First Place

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Texas Wildlife Association presents.... GOGOGO WILD! WILD!WILD! GO WILD! WE’LLWE’LLWE’LL SHOW SHOWSHOW YOU YOUYOU HOW. HOW.HOW. WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW. February 2015 Vol. 9 No. 1 FEBRUARYFEBRUARYFEBRUARY 12 12 -12 MARCH - - MARCH MARCH 1, 20151, 1, 2015 2015 FEBRUARY 12 -Kid’s MARCH Quarterly 1, Mini-Mag! 2015 You mayYou know may that know the that San the Antonio San Antonio Stock Show Stock & Show Rodeo & hostsRodeo one hosts of the one most of the prestigious most prestigious professional professional Postcards from Nancy....By Cara Bierschwale You may know that the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo hosts one of the most prestigious professional You may know that the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo hosts one of the most prestigious professional rodeos inrodeos the world, in the and world, is home and is to home the world’s to the world’slargest juniorlargest livestock junior livestock show. But show. did Butyou didknow you that know we that we Hello, friends! rodeos in the world, and is home to the world’s largest junior livestock show. But did you know that we rodeos in the world, and is home to the world’s largest junior livestock show. But did you know that we encourageencourage responsible responsible management management and the anduse theof our use beautiful of our beautiful Texas wildlife Texas andwildlife natural and resourcesnatural resources through through What’s cooking? That’s what Papaw ‘Dillo always says when odors coming from the arena and hoped there might be a road kill encourage responsible management and the use of our beautiful Texas wildlife and natural resources through encourage responsible management and the use of our beautiful Texas wildlife and natural resources through the Texasthe Wildlife Texas Wildlife Expo? ThroughExpo? Through interactive interactive educational educational exhibits exhibits and hands-on and hands-on demonstrations demonstrations that make that make we get together and is another way of asking, “What’s happening?” convention going on.” learningthe funTexas for Wildlifethe entire Expo? family, Through you’ll see interactive that our commitmenteducational exhibits to Texas and youth hands-on just comes demonstrations natural. that make the Texas WildlifeSpeaking Expo? of cooking, Through Grant interactive the Gopher educational and I signed exhibits up andto compete hands-on demonstrations The judge wasthat insultedmake and agitated. He stated this was a learning fun for the entire family, you’ll see that our commitment to Texas youth just comes natural. in the All Creatures Cook-Off held in South Texas. Contestants from respectable cooking contest and that the contestants had worked learning fun for the entire family, you’ll see that our commitment to Texas youth just comes natural. learning fun for the entire family, you’ll see that our commitment to Texas youth just comes natural. all over the state put their best forks forward to create delicious dishes very hard producing natural works of cuisine art. There was no road from native plants. Grant was excited about kill to be found here. his famous wild onion and turkey pepper “Eh, well we’re vultures, you see, and I salsa, and I was counting on my persimmon guess you could say we’re picky eaters since I preserves to take first place. The most don’t see anything around here worth eating,” creatively concocted meal would earn its chef said the bird. “I should just tell you all to carry a fancy blue ribbon and bragging rights for a on, because that’s what we’re after… carrion. year. You know, rotting meat.” The birds hissed with The day of the contest was clear and delight at this old vulture’s odd sense of humor sunny, and a variety of sweet and spicy as they turned and flew away from the arena. aromas swirled around the judging tables and The judge straightened his hat and apron outdoor arena as we anxiously waited to hear and walked back to the microphone. He the results. After all of the dishes were tasted apologized for the interruption and continued and scored, the head cook-off judge stood at with the announcement. the microphone and indicated that he was Finally, it was time to name the winners ready to announce the winning cuisine. The of the cook-off. Grant won second place for crowd quieted just as shadows from a few his salsa and I won sixth for my preserves. It feathered forms circling high overhead crossed was a great day for everyone, even though the the arena. As if caught in a slow tornado, the Photo by Rusty Ray vultures didn’t find our menu appealing. Had birds leisurely floated down to the food tables. they stayed, Grant and I would have liked to Grant and I started to panic as one bird landed observe the on a table to inspect the plates more closely. The others continued to vultures more closely, but the land until we were face-to-face with these strange, black birds with thought of stinking, rotting red heads. meat convinced us to start The judge made his way through the nervous crowd to the learning about vultures from intruders and told them that all visitors would have a chance to our bird books. sample the food after the winners were announced. He then kindly asked them to leave. Carry on! “Sorry to crash your party,” answered one of the older birds with a gravelly hiss. “We could smell some interesting and enticing Nancy Nine-band SARODEO.COMSARODEO.COM Critter Connections is made SARODEO.COM possible by a grant from the FOLLOWFOLLOW USSARODEO.COM ON US ON Attention Teachers: FOLLOW US ON FOLLOW US ON San Antonio Livestock To receive a free one-year subscription, go to: Exposition. http://www.texas-wildlife.org/program-areas/ subscribe-to-critter-connections. GO WILD! GO WILD! WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW. WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW. FEBRUARYGO 12WILD! - MARCH 1, 2015 FEBRUARY 12 - MARCH 1, 2015 You mayWE’LL know that the San Antonio SHOWStock Show & Rodeo hosts oneYOU of the most prestigious HOW. professional You may know that the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo hosts one of the most prestigious professional rodeos in the world, and is home to the world’s largest junior livestock show. But did you know that we rodeos in the world, and is home to the world’s largest junior livestock show. But did you know that we encourage responsible management and the use of our beautiful Texas wildlife and natural resources through encourage responsible management and the use of our beautiful Texas wildlife and natural resources through the Texas WildlifeFEBRUARY Expo? Through interactive educational 12 - exhibits MARCH and hands-on demonstrations 1, 2015 that make the Texas Wildlife Expo? Through interactive educational exhibits and hands-on demonstrations that make learning fun for the entire family, you’ll see that our commitment to Texas youth just comes natural. learning fun for the entire family, you’ll see that our commitment to Texas youth just comes natural.

You may know that the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo hosts one of the most prestigious professional rodeos in the world, and is home to the world’s largest junior livestock show. But did you know that we encourage responsible management and the use of our beautiful Texas wildlife and natural resources through the Texas Wildlife Expo? Through interactive educational exhibits and hands-on demonstrations that make learning fun for the entire family, you’ll see that our commitment to Texas youth just comes natural.

SARODEO.COM SARODEO.COM FOLLOW US ON FOLLOW US ON

SARODEO.COM FOLLOW US ON Join TWA Today! TWA is a membership-based, non-profit organization whose mission is to educate all people, especially the youth of Texas Wildlife Association Texas, about the conservation, management, and enhancement of wildlife and wildlife habitat on private land. All programs are made possible through memberships and grants or donations. TWA HAS RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE - CLASSROOM TEACHERS, HOMESCHOOL TEACHERS, Your consideration of support is most appreciated. INFORMAL EDUCATORS, AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, FACILITIES, AND CAMPS! Last year, we provided programming for over 194,000 youth across the state through Distance Learning, Discovery Trunks, Wildlife by Design¸ Learning Across New Dimensions in Science (L.A.N.D.S.), and Texas Brigades. Contact us to find out how Wildlife by Design - FREE presentations for grades K-8 we may help you incorporate wildlife and natural resources into your classroom! brought to your location by a TWA Educator. Each Most programs are free for teachers. program includes a hands-on, inquiry based lesson and activity, 30-60 minutes in length, for a group of 20-40 For information on our educational programs, please contact us at 800-TEX-WILD (800-839-9453). students, and can be repeated up to six (6) times that day. Joining TWA is optional. Each membership helps support TWA programs but it is not required to participate in our programs. Presentations are available regionally. http://www.texas- wildlife.org/program-areas/lands-outreach-wildlife-by- Join us at www.texas-wildlife.org design-classroom-presentations

Turkey vulture in flight Did you know... (USFWS) Directions: Complete the crosswordpuzzles.....mazes.....oh puzzle by filling in a word that fits each clue. my! go ahead.....give it a try! Carrion-Eater’s Crossword Created by Cara Bierschwale …even though they show many similarities to true birds Directions: Complete the crossword puzzle by filling in a word that fits each clue. of prey, like hawks and eagles, recent studies strongly Across suggest that New World vultures are more closely related 3. Vulture that lacks a voice box to storks? 4. Vulture with a red, featherless head 7. Organisms that “reuse” and make sure …vultures are commonly called “buzzards?” True buzzards are Black vultures (Wikimedia) nothing is wasted in nature actually hawks in Europe. 10. Decaying animal flesh eaten by scavengers 11. Updraft or column of warm air …airplane pilots have sighted vultures soaring at 20,000 feet? 12. These birds are actually hawks in Europe …since their talons are almost useless for defense, vultures Down may play dead or vomit when threatened? 1. Unlike turkey vultures, this sense is not as well developed in black vultures

…a group of vultures in flight is called a kettle? word searches...... 2. Type of animal that feeds on dead and decaying plants and animals Caracara guarding its …there are 23 vulture species in the world, and at least one food by Grady Allen 5. Caracaras are close relatives of these birds type is found on every continent except Australia and 6. Word meaning “V-shaped” Antarctica? 8. Bird that will often steal meals from others

9. Vultures are more closely related to these

DOWN 1-smell, 2-scavenger, 5-falcons, 6-dihedral, 8-caracara, 9-storks 8-caracara, 6-dihedral, 5-falcons, 2-scavenger, 1-smell, DOWN birds than to birds of prey 11-thermal, 12-buzzards; 12-buzzards; 11-thermal,

Kettle of soaring vultures by Grady Allen 10-carrion, 7-recyclers, 4-turkey, 3-black, ACROSS answers: Crossword Answer Key on page 6. It All Makes Vulture Scents (Sense) Turkey Vulture By Cara Bierschwale Color Me (Cathartes aura) Across Grayish-white3. flight Vulture that lacks a voice box A scavenger’s nose must know where to go to find its next smelly meal. A turkey vulture’s sense of smell is so advanced Black wing-linings and tail feathers 4. Vulture with a red, featherlessthat headthey have been used by U.S. engineers to locate gas pipeline leaks. To do this, a carrion-scented substance was 7. Organisms that “reuse” andadded make to sure the pipes nothing and engineersis wasted watched in nature where the vultures gathered, just as they locate and descend on a rotting Red head animal carcass. With this activity, test your sense of smell by determining at what distance you are able to correctly 10. Decaying animal flesh eatenidentify by scavengers a mystery scent. Don’t worry, no road kill is involved! Yellow bill 11. Updraft or column of warmMaterials: air 3 mystery scents (examples - vanilla extract, peppermint oil, vinegar, orange oil, ammonia, stinky cheese), 12. These birds are actually hawkscotton inballs, Europe 3 plastic cups, yardstick, masking tape, pencils Black neck Directions: Down 1. In a large room (like a gymnasium), set up 3 “scent stations” as far apart from each other as possible. At each 1. Unlike turkey vultures, thisstation, sense placeis not a asfew well cotton developed balls into a in cup black and addvultures enough drops of a mystery liquid to create a scent strong enough to travel out of the cup (safely test by wafting). 2. Type of animal that feeds on2. deadCreate and a distancedecaying guide plants at each and station. animals On the floor, use the yardstick and masking tape to measure and mark 5.Dark Caracaras brown are close relativesdesired of these increments birds of distance in a straight line from the cup (zero) to a player starting point at least 10 yards away. 6.and Word black meaning "V-shaped" 3. At each station, a player begins at the starting point and walks slowly towards the cup. When he can detect and 8. Birdfeathers that will often steal mealsidentify from the othersmystery scent, he discretely records the scent and his distance from the cup on the lines below. 9. Vultures are more closely related4. Players to these rotate birds through than each to stationbirds ofand prey do not share their guesses of the mystery scents. When done, players compare their recordings and the player who has correctly identified the scent at the distance farthest from the cup wins for that station. 5. This activity can be modified to focus on measuring skills by excluding the distance guides and having the players YellowAnswers legs on page 6. mark and measure their scent detection spots themselves. Photo by Grady Allen STATION #1: STATION #2: STATION #3: Scent: ______Scent: ______Scent: ______Distance: ______Distance: ______Distance: ______

Photo by Russell Graves 6 Image adapted from www.mewarnai.us 3 corner Turkey Vulture turkey vultures, black vultures must quickly and frequently flap their wings to Adult turkey vultures have bright red, gain altitude and stay aloft. Unlike the turkey vulture, black vultures do not bald heads which stand out next to their have a well-developed sense of smell and have to rely on eyesight to locate dark brown and black plumage and long, food. Oftentimes, they will watch for turkey vultures feeding on carrion, fly two-toned wings. These intelligent and down, and drive off the turkey vultures, thus taking over the meal. social birds are widespread and range from Although large groups of these vultures are easily seen roosting or flying in southern Canada to the southern tip of the air, they are secretive when it comes to nesting. They nest on the ground in Clean-Up Crew South America. They can be found cruising dense undergrowth, uprooted trees or shallow caves and females lay 1-3 eggs. open areas including farmland, forests, and They also lack a voice box, limiting their sounds to raspy hisses and grunts, and c rangeland in the southeastern half of Texas so are generally silent. year-round and throughout the rest of the state during the summer migration months. Crested Caracara Flying turkey vultures can be identified The caracara was named by native South from others by their distinctive teetering Americans for its raspy, cackling call. These large flight style and the way they hold their birds are close relatives of falcons and are quite wings in a dihedral, or “V” shape. This Turkey vultures warming distinctive with a black cap, short crest on the r allows them to patrol low altitudes for the up by Russell Graves back of the head, bare red skin on the face, black scent of carrion on the ground. With a light body, white tail with a wide black tip, white wing tips, barring on the upper back and breast, Photo by Russell Graves body weight, a nearly 6-foot wingspan and long tail, they are also built for soaring and will float on rising columns of warm air, called thermals, and long legs. Caracaras, considered the tropical thousands of feet high in the sky. In addition, they can travel up to 40 version of vultures, only reach central and south By Cara Bierschwale miles per hour with very little flapping of their wings. Texas, Arizona, and Florida and frequent the Instead of building full arid, open country down through Central and i Many of our day-to-day tasks include cleaning something up, like nests, turkey vultures simply South America. straightening our bedrooms, washing the dishes, and taking out the garbage. scrape out a spot in leaf litter Caracaras spend much of their time walking Though it is not always fun, we do these jobs to keep our homes and yards neat or soil along rock crevices on the ground and are also seen in pairs patrolling Photo from Wikimedia and clean. In addition, recycling and reusing materials are responsible ways and ledges, inside hollow the roads for fresh road kill or feeding with Crested caracaras (USFWS) to help decrease the amount of trash we put into our sanitary landfills. Both logs and fallen trees, or will vultures. They often resort to stealing meals and large and small efforts of cleaning up are part of our normal routines of keeping even overtake hawk and will aggressively chase larger vultures away from the carrion, or even harass ourselves and the environment healthy and safe. In nature it is no different. heron nests. Females usually birds in flight until they expel their eaten food. Their diet is made up of more t Plants and animals don’t have trash cans, but they do have natural recyclers will lay two eggs and their than just road kill and includes eggs, chicks, frogs, rotting vegetables, dead and to make sure nothing is wasted. When plants and animals die, their bodies will nest sites may be reused for dying fish, insects, and worms. They typically nest in trees and females will lay decompose and become part of the soil, though it could take a very long time. future generations. Once 1-4 eggs in a clutch. Some animals are scavengers and help in this process by feeding on the decaying past their first year, turkey remains of these organisms, thereby reusing leftover nutrients and clearing the vultures may to live for 12-17 land of dead things. years. Turkey vulture chicks by Rita Mae Frey Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures, and Crested Caracaras are the most t common scavenging birds in Texas, and the vultures’ family name (Cathartidae) Black Vulture is appropriately titled from a Greek word meaning “cleanser.” Often seen on Black vultures have bare black heads and have been noted as roadsides or soaring high over landfills, vultures and caracaras favor eating appearing dapper, like a groomed man in a dark suit. They are sooty- carrion, or decaying animal flesh, and rotting vegetation. They do a remarkable black with silvery primary feathers, white wing tips, and have a short, job of finding and clearing the roads and land of carcasses which may also become square tail. These vultures are diseased from being left on the ground to rot. Contrary to earlier beliefs, vultures mainly non-migratory and Black vultures by do not carry or transmit diseases picked up from eating carrion. In fact, they live year-round in open and Grady Allen e have excellent immune systems, as harmful organisms do not survive passage forested areas of the eastern through their digestive tracts, and actually prevent the spread of diseases. and southern United States As scavengers, the physical and behavioral adaptations of vultures and down to South America. Black Caracaras by Grady Allen caracaras are numerous. Like other birds of prey, they have keen eyesight and vultures are outnumbered sharp, hooked bills for tearing meat. Though they have strong legs, their long Sources: by turkey vultures in the U.S. Arnold, Keith A. and Gregory Kennedy. Birds of Texas. Auburn, WA: Lone Pine Publishing, 2007. talons are relatively weak and used mainly for perching rather than for catching and can be found throughout Burnie, David and Don E. Wilson. Animal. New York, NY: DK Publishing, Inc., 2001. and holding prey. Turkey vultures and caracaras also have a highly developed Texas, mainly east of the Pecos National Park Service. “Vultures.” Retrieved November 18-30, 2014 from http://www.nps.gov/bibe/ r sense of smell used in locating the scent of decay. The noticeable feature of River. naturescience/vultures.htm. featherless heads of vultures is an adaptation which helps them stay clean while With a heavier body and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds. “Turkey Vulture,” “Black Vulture,” and “Crested Caracara.” feeding on messy carcasses. shorter wings and tail than Retrieved November 18-30, 2014 from http://www.allaboutbirds.org corner Turkey Vulture turkey vultures, black vultures must quickly and frequently flap their wings to Adult turkey vultures have bright red, gain altitude and stay aloft. Unlike the turkey vulture, black vultures do not bald heads which stand out next to their have a well-developed sense of smell and have to rely on eyesight to locate dark brown and black plumage and long, food. Oftentimes, they will watch for turkey vultures feeding on carrion, fly two-toned wings. These intelligent and down, and drive off the turkey vultures, thus taking over the meal. social birds are widespread and range from Although large groups of these vultures are easily seen roosting or flying in southern Canada to the southern tip of the air, they are secretive when it comes to nesting. They nest on the ground in Clean-Up Crew South America. They can be found cruising dense undergrowth, uprooted trees or shallow caves and females lay 1-3 eggs. open areas including farmland, forests, and They also lack a voice box, limiting their sounds to raspy hisses and grunts, and c rangeland in the southeastern half of Texas so are generally silent. year-round and throughout the rest of the state during the summer migration months. Crested Caracara Flying turkey vultures can be identified The caracara was named by native South from others by their distinctive teetering Americans for its raspy, cackling call. These large flight style and the way they hold their birds are close relatives of falcons and are quite wings in a dihedral, or “V” shape. This Turkey vultures warming distinctive with a black cap, short crest on the r allows them to patrol low altitudes for the up by Russell Graves back of the head, bare red skin on the face, black scent of carrion on the ground. With a light body, white tail with a wide black tip, white wing tips, barring on the upper back and breast, Photo by Russell Graves body weight, a nearly 6-foot wingspan and long tail, they are also built for soaring and will float on rising columns of warm air, called thermals, and long legs. Caracaras, considered the tropical thousands of feet high in the sky. In addition, they can travel up to 40 version of vultures, only reach central and south By Cara Bierschwale miles per hour with very little flapping of their wings. Texas, Arizona, and Florida and frequent the Instead of building full arid, open country down through Central and i Many of our day-to-day tasks include cleaning something up, like nests, turkey vultures simply South America. straightening our bedrooms, washing the dishes, and taking out the garbage. scrape out a spot in leaf litter Caracaras spend much of their time walking Though it is not always fun, we do these jobs to keep our homes and yards neat or soil along rock crevices on the ground and are also seen in pairs patrolling Photo from Wikimedia and clean. In addition, recycling and reusing materials are responsible ways and ledges, inside hollow the roads for fresh road kill or feeding with Crested caracaras (USFWS) to help decrease the amount of trash we put into our sanitary landfills. Both logs and fallen trees, or will vultures. They often resort to stealing meals and large and small efforts of cleaning up are part of our normal routines of keeping even overtake hawk and will aggressively chase larger vultures away from the carrion, or even harass ourselves and the environment healthy and safe. In nature it is no different. heron nests. Females usually birds in flight until they expel their eaten food. Their diet is made up of more t Plants and animals don’t have trash cans, but they do have natural recyclers will lay two eggs and their than just road kill and includes eggs, chicks, frogs, rotting vegetables, dead and to make sure nothing is wasted. When plants and animals die, their bodies will nest sites may be reused for dying fish, insects, and worms. They typically nest in trees and females will lay decompose and become part of the soil, though it could take a very long time. future generations. Once 1-4 eggs in a clutch. Some animals are scavengers and help in this process by feeding on the decaying past their first year, turkey remains of these organisms, thereby reusing leftover nutrients and clearing the vultures may to live for 12-17 land of dead things. years. Turkey vulture chicks by Rita Mae Frey Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures, and Crested Caracaras are the most t common scavenging birds in Texas, and the vultures’ family name (Cathartidae) Black Vulture is appropriately titled from a Greek word meaning “cleanser.” Often seen on Black vultures have bare black heads and have been noted as roadsides or soaring high over landfills, vultures and caracaras favor eating appearing dapper, like a groomed man in a dark suit. They are sooty- carrion, or decaying animal flesh, and rotting vegetation. They do a remarkable black with silvery primary feathers, white wing tips, and have a short, job of finding and clearing the roads and land of carcasses which may also become square tail. These vultures are diseased from being left on the ground to rot. Contrary to earlier beliefs, vultures mainly non-migratory and Black vultures by do not carry or transmit diseases picked up from eating carrion. In fact, they live year-round in open and Grady Allen e have excellent immune systems, as harmful organisms do not survive passage forested areas of the eastern through their digestive tracts, and actually prevent the spread of diseases. and southern United States As scavengers, the physical and behavioral adaptations of vultures and down to South America. Black Caracaras by Grady Allen caracaras are numerous. Like other birds of prey, they have keen eyesight and vultures are outnumbered sharp, hooked bills for tearing meat. Though they have strong legs, their long Sources: by turkey vultures in the U.S. Arnold, Keith A. and Gregory Kennedy. Birds of Texas. Auburn, WA: Lone Pine Publishing, 2007. talons are relatively weak and used mainly for perching rather than for catching and can be found throughout Burnie, David and Don E. Wilson. Animal. New York, NY: DK Publishing, Inc., 2001. and holding prey. Turkey vultures and caracaras also have a highly developed Texas, mainly east of the Pecos National Park Service. “Vultures.” Retrieved November 18-30, 2014 from http://www.nps.gov/bibe/ r sense of smell used in locating the scent of decay. The noticeable feature of River. naturescience/vultures.htm. featherless heads of vultures is an adaptation which helps them stay clean while With a heavier body and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds. “Turkey Vulture,” “Black Vulture,” and “Crested Caracara.” feeding on messy carcasses. shorter wings and tail than Retrieved November 18-30, 2014 from http://www.allaboutbirds.org Carrion-Eater’s Crossword

9. Vultures are more closely related to these

Photo by Russell Graves 6 Image adapted from www.mewarnai.us 3 Join TWA Today! TWA is a membership-based, non-profit organization whose mission is to educate all people, especially the youth of Texas Wildlife Association Texas, about the conservation, management, and enhancement of wildlife and wildlife habitat on private land. All programs are made possible through memberships and grants or donations. TWA HAS RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE - CLASSROOM TEACHERS, HOMESCHOOL TEACHERS, Your consideration of support is most appreciated. INFORMAL EDUCATORS, AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, FACILITIES, AND CAMPS! Last year, we provided programming for over 194,000 youth across the state through Distance Learning, Discovery Trunks, Wildlife by Design¸ Learning Across New Dimensions in Science (L.A.N.D.S.), and Texas Brigades. Contact us to find out how Wildlife by Design - FREE presentations for grades K-8 we may help you incorporate wildlife and natural resources into your classroom! brought to your location by a TWA Educator. Each Most programs are free for teachers. program includes a hands-on, inquiry based lesson and activity, 30-60 minutes in length, for a group of 20-40 For information on our educational programs, please contact us at 800-TEX-WILD (800-839-9453). students, and can be repeated up to six (6) times that day. Joining TWA is optional. Each membership helps support TWA programs but it is not required to participate in our programs. Presentations are available regionally. http://www.texas- wildlife.org/program-areas/lands-outreach-wildlife-by- Join us at www.texas-wildlife.org design-classroom-presentations

Membership Levels: Discovery Trunks - Statewide Discovery Trunks are full of hands-on, program-enhancing, natural resource materials ____ Life Member $2,400 ____ President’s Council $1,000 and lessons, geared for grades K-6. Seven (7) trunk topics ____ Corporate $635 ____ Patron $375 are available in two-week reservation periods and are available at no cost! Designed for groups of 40 students or ____ Family $230 ____ Active $145 more. Reserve your Discovery Trunk online http://trunks. ____ Associate $50 ____ Student $20 (up to age 22) texas-wildlife.org/ ____ Online $35 All members receive a one year subscription to our monthly magazine, Texas Wildlife. Critter Connections - An educational, Educator and Volunteer Workshops & Trainings - interactive newsletter targeted for youth Are you interested in including conservation, natural ages 13 and younger. Subscribe online for resources, and wildlife education in your classroom? a free class set (25 copies) or an individual Would you like to help advance natural resource literacy Vulture Puppet subscription (1 copy). All issues available in your community? For more By Cara Bierschwale, adapted from Crafts for Kids Who are Wild About the Wild by Kathy Ross for free online. Several issues also available information go to: http:// in Spanish! Quantities limited. http:// www.texas-wildlife.org/ Vultures are not considered the prettiest of birds, but they play an important www.texas-wildlife.org/program-areas/ program-areas/educator- subscribe-to-critter-connections and-volunteer-workshops- role in the ecosystem by eating dead animals and keeping the land clean. and-trainings. Create this vulture puppet and fly it around to look for its next meal! Distance Learning - Watch TWA’s programs to spark your student’s interest in wildlife and private land stewardship. Available as on-demand Webinars and via videoconferencing (also online). Programs are interactive, TEKS-aligned Materials: Black poster paint, paintbrush, four 9-inch plain paper plates, for grades 1-6, and free to view! http://www.texas-wildlife.org/program-areas/lands-outreach-distance-learning red and yellow construction paper, stapler, black pipe cleaner, black and red Viewing On-demand Webinars: markers, glue Viewing Videoconference programs: Visit texas-wildlife.webex.com Visit connect2texas.net & click on View Event Recordings. Directions: 1. Paint the bottom sides of the paper plates black and allow them to dry. L.A.N.D.S. Intensive Curriculum iTunes U - TWA has 2. To make the vulture’s head, cut an oval-shaped head out of the red construction paper and use the black marker to draw eyes and & Trinity River Project - With the collaborated with the Texas L.A.N.D.S. Intensive program, Education Agency (TEA) wrinkles. Cut a hooked beak out of the yellow construction paper and use the markers to add detail. Glue the beak in place under schools and teachers have access to bring our On-demand the eyes. to classroom curricula, special Youth Webinars to the TEA 3. Staple one end of the pipe cleaner to the back of the head to make the neck, and then staple the other end to the back of one of the presentations, field investigation page on iTunes U. Previews black plates to create the body. Adjust the pipe cleaner neck as needed to create a hunched-over look. days, and necropsies, as part of each On-demand Webinar and corresponding of our Learning Across New worksheet are now available right on your iPhone or 4. Cut one of the plates in half and staple it to the back top-half of the body plate along the curved edge. This is the puppet’s hand slot. Dimensions in Science (L.A.N.D.S.) youth stewardship iPad. https://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/texas-wildlife- 5. To make the wings, fold the remaining plates in half over the sides of the body plate and staple them in place. Add extra detail to initiative. Trinity River Project, Grades 4-5 — L.A.N.D.S. association/id884228948 the body and wings as desired to make the puppet more life-like. Intensive Curriculum Grades 7-12. http://www.texas- wildlife.org/program-areas/learning-across-new- Follow us on: 2 dimensions-in-science-l.a.n.d.s. 7 Texas Wildlife Association presents.... GOGOGO WILD! WILD!WILD! GO WILD! WE’LLWE’LLWE’LL SHOW SHOWSHOW YOU YOUYOU HOW. HOW.HOW. WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW. February 2015 Vol. 9 No. 1 FEBRUARYFEBRUARYFEBRUARY 12 12 -12 MARCH - - MARCH MARCH 1, 20151, 1, 2015 2015 FEBRUARY 12 -Kid’s MARCH Quarterly 1, Mini-Mag! 2015 You mayYou know may that know the that San the Antonio San Antonio Stock Show Stock & Show Rodeo & hostsRodeo one hosts of the one most of the prestigious most prestigious professional professional Postcards from Nancy....By Cara Bierschwale You may know that the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo hosts one of the most prestigious professional You may know that the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo hosts one of the most prestigious professional rodeos inrodeos the world, in the and world, is home and is to home the world’s to the world’slargest juniorlargest livestock junior livestock show. But show. did Butyou didknow you that know we that we Hello, friends! rodeos in the world, and is home to the world’s largest junior livestock show. But did you know that we rodeos in the world, and is home to the world’s largest junior livestock show. But did you know that we encourageencourage responsible responsible management management and the anduse theof our use beautiful of our beautiful Texas wildlife Texas andwildlife natural and resourcesnatural resources through through What’s cooking? That’s what Papaw ‘Dillo always says when odors coming from the arena and hoped there might be a road kill encourage responsible management and the use of our beautiful Texas wildlife and natural resources through encourage responsible management and the use of our beautiful Texas wildlife and natural resources through the Texasthe Wildlife Texas Wildlife Expo? ThroughExpo? Through interactive interactive educational educational exhibits exhibits and hands-on and hands-on demonstrations demonstrations that make that make we get together and is another way of asking, “What’s happening?” convention going on.” learningthe funTexas for Wildlifethe entire Expo? family, Through you’ll see interactive that our commitmenteducational exhibits to Texas and youth hands-on just comes demonstrations natural. that make the Texas WildlifeSpeaking Expo? of cooking, Through Grant interactive the Gopher educational and I signed exhibits up andto compete hands-on demonstrations The judge wasthat insultedmake and agitated. He stated this was a learning fun for the entire family, you’ll see that our commitment to Texas youth just comes natural. in the All Creatures Cook-Off held in South Texas. Contestants from respectable cooking contest and that the contestants had worked learning fun for the entire family, you’ll see that our commitment to Texas youth just comes natural. learning fun for the entire family, you’ll see that our commitment to Texas youth just comes natural. all over the state put their best forks forward to create delicious dishes very hard producing natural works of cuisine art. There was no road from native plants. Grant was excited about kill to be found here. his famous wild onion and turkey pepper “Eh, well we’re vultures, you see, and I salsa, and I was counting on my persimmon guess you could say we’re picky eaters since I preserves to take first place. The most don’t see anything around here worth eating,” creatively concocted meal would earn its chef said the bird. “I should just tell you all to carry a fancy blue ribbon and bragging rights for a on, because that’s what we’re after… carrion. year. You know, rotting meat.” The birds hissed with The day of the contest was clear and delight at this old vulture’s odd sense of humor sunny, and a variety of sweet and spicy as they turned and flew away from the arena. aromas swirled around the judging tables and The judge straightened his hat and apron outdoor arena as we anxiously waited to hear and walked back to the microphone. He the results. After all of the dishes were tasted apologized for the interruption and continued and scored, the head cook-off judge stood at with the announcement. the microphone and indicated that he was Finally, it was time to name the winners ready to announce the winning cuisine. The of the cook-off. Grant won second place for crowd quieted just as shadows from a few his salsa and I won sixth for my preserves. It feathered forms circling high overhead crossed was a great day for everyone, even though the the arena. As if caught in a slow tornado, the Photo by Rusty Ray vultures didn’t find our menu appealing. Had birds leisurely floated down to the food tables. they stayed, Grant and I would have liked to Grant and I started to panic as one bird landed observe the on a table to inspect the plates more closely. The others continued to vultures more closely, but the land until we were face-to-face with these strange, black birds with thought of stinking, rotting red heads. meat convinced us to start The judge made his way through the nervous crowd to the learning about vultures from intruders and told them that all visitors would have a chance to our bird books. sample the food after the winners were announced. He then kindly asked them to leave. Carry on! “Sorry to crash your party,” answered one of the older birds with a gravelly hiss. “We could smell some interesting and enticing Nancy Nine-band SARODEO.COMSARODEO.COM Critter Connections is made SARODEO.COM possible by a grant from the FOLLOWFOLLOW USSARODEO.COM ON US ON Attention Teachers: FOLLOW US ON FOLLOW US ON San Antonio Livestock To receive a free one-year subscription, go to: Exposition. http://www.texas-wildlife.org/program-areas/ subscribe-to-critter-connections. GO WILD! GO WILD! WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW. WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW. FEBRUARYGO 12WILD! - MARCH 1, 2015 FEBRUARY 12 - MARCH 1, 2015 You mayWE’LL know that the San Antonio SHOWStock Show & Rodeo hosts oneYOU of the most prestigious HOW. professional You may know that the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo hosts one of the most prestigious professional rodeos in the world, and is home to the world’s largest junior livestock show. But did you know that we rodeos in the world, and is home to the world’s largest junior livestock show. But did you know that we encourage responsible management and the use of our beautiful Texas wildlife and natural resources through encourage responsible management and the use of our beautiful Texas wildlife and natural resources through the Texas WildlifeFEBRUARY Expo? Through interactive educational 12 - exhibits MARCH and hands-on demonstrations 1, 2015 that make the Texas Wildlife Expo? Through interactive educational exhibits and hands-on demonstrations that make learning fun for the entire family, you’ll see that our commitment to Texas youth just comes natural. learning fun for the entire family, you’ll see that our commitment to Texas youth just comes natural.

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