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like it. Vultures are scavengers; the clean-up squad of the natural world.
For nearly 200 years ornithologists have tried to determine whether or not a vulture is guided to decaying animal matter by its smell as well as sight. Experiment after experiment failed to be conclusive. It was one of those unanswered questions scientist like to debate. It was not until 1964 that an ornithologist proved — after 25 years of experiments — that a Turkey Vulture uses both sight and smell to find dead animal food. The Black Vulture depends on sight alone.
When vultures sweep through the upper air in search of food on the ground below, they also watch each other carefully. When one sharp-eyed individual spots food and begins a descent toward the ground in smaller, lower circles, other vultures are quick to follow. Once on the ground, a number gather and fight over food with snarls, growls, and hisses. They also snort much as a dog does and for the same reason; to clear the nasal passages.
The Black Vulture is the more aggressive and is usually successful in driving a hungry Turkey Vulture away where it must patiently wait until the appetite of the smaller of the two is satisfied.
It is not easy — for me, at least — to determine the two species in the air. The slight difference in size is not much help; size is relative and one must have something for comparison. The Turkey Vulture has a long, narrow tail and holds its wings in a very shallow “V.” This species also soars more and flaps less for its wings are longer. In sailing through the air the Turkey Vulture often rocks gently back and forth.
The Black Vulture tends to hold its wings horizontal to the earth and has a short, squarish tail beyond which the feet often
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