Description

Vultures can be seen throughout Florida, whether soaring in the air or feeding on the ground, visitor or resident, we have all encountered vultures in Florida. We actually have two species of vultures in Florida, the black vulture and the turkey vulture. While they may seem clumsy and not the most attractive birds, they play a critical role in our ecosystem. Learn how to tell these two species apart and the importance of these birds to our natural world. 

Learn More:  

• Black Vulture - https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-vulture
• Turkey Vulture - https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/turkey-vulture

• Vultures: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/raptors-and-vultures/vultures/
• Black Vulture or Turkey Vulture? That Is the Question: https://youtu.be/S-XcSqcpBpI?si=4c1FObJAVCkpqzMb

How You Can Help: 

• Respect their space, they are doing a critically important job that none of us want to do. Let them do their work 😉

• Share this episode with a family member, colleague, neighbor or friend. Help us share the love for this keystone species. 

Sources: 

• Do Vultures Find Dead Animals By Smell or By Tracking Predators Or Scavengers On The Ground? https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/do-vultures-find-dead-animals-by-smell-or-by-tracking-predators-or-scavengers-on-the-ground/

• Vulture-cattle interactions at a central Florida ranch - Vulture-cattle interactions at a central Florida ranch

• Gamecock Scientists Say “Vultures Need Love” - Gamecock Scientists Say “Vultures Need Love” - Jax State News

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, join our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations⁠⁠⁠