Sunday, February 7, 2010

Riverwalker's Pics - Gathering for a Meal


The black vulture, Coragyps atratus, in Texas is fairly common in open country, woodlands, and farm areas. Black vultures are also more likely to be found near areas of human habitation, including garbage and trash dumps.

A close relative of the turkey vulture, the black vulture is smaller and has a shorter tail, a black head and a wing span which is normally less than five feet. Its shorter, broader wings have white patches near the tips. Due to the specific nature of its body structure the black vulture is somewhat less efficient at soaring when compared with other vultures. As a result it alternates rapid wing flapping with shorter glides and is considered a very strong flyer. The black vulture, is also a member of the Falconiformes family and will also prey on small mammals, reptiles and other young birds. This is in addition to the practice of feeding off carrion, refuse and garbage. A large group of black vultures is also capable of attacking and killing larger animals.


Nothing compares with a family gathering for a meal!


Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

4 comments:

Northwoods said...

Sadly,
I'm thinkin' these Vultures have a brighter future than my Grandkidds!
Makes sense when you concider those on capital hill just want to feed their own...

Pickdog said...

Last year my neighbor to the north had problems with these buggers killing their baby calves. They are protected so my neighbor could not shoot them.

Pickdog
III

riverwalker said...

To: Northwoods

Unfortunately, most politicians don't have a clue when it comes to the average person who has to survive in an environment that is less than ideal...with many of those conditions created by reckless acts of those same politicians without regards to the consequences.Thanks.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Pickdog

The black vulture is a prime example of group survival in nature. They will actually drive off turkey vultures, who are usually solitary creatures, from a carcass and take it over completely. Large groups of two dozen or more are quite frequent and allow them to overcome much larger prey.

Thanks Pickdog!

RW

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