These big birds come around whenever something is dead, they are the trash men of the forest. So important they are considered a protected species. These birds are scavengers and will pick over anything that has died and is laying around. Or in this case a gut pile from a recent deer kill they are feeding on.
As they fill their bellies they will take a break and sun themselves by spreading their wings and warming up their bodies. Soon other kinds of birds will show up as well, but for the moment the vultures are at the top and get the meal all to themselves.
 Camera Model | Lumix GH6 |
|---|---|
 Lens | G Series 100-300mm F4.0-5.6 Lens |
 Filter | none |
 Aperture | f/5.6 |
 Shutter Speed | 1/640 sec |
 Film Speed | 250 |
 Spectrum | Visual Light |
 Wavelength | 380 through 700 nanometers |
 Location | Central Virginia USA. |
As each of them find the guts, they swoop in and sometimes seemingly tackle the other vultures in aggression.
I guess there is some kind of picking order when it comes to these birds.
Some more bird politics going on it would seem.
There are already a few in the bush, more land as they spot the yummy snacks.
Some vultures will feed and then back off for a bit, and then come back for more.
Crows were there as well, but seemed they would stay away when the pack of vultures were around.
More showed up, at some point there was over six of them.
They come and go, but all seem to know about the gut pile now. They will probably feed on it until its just bones. Great for the environment, glad to have these birds.
More sunning going on, its cool to see how big their wings are.
I can see why they care called "turkey" vultures.. from a far they look quite similar. Though I am sure they taste absolutely terrible being a scavenger compared to a turkey that mostly eats bugs.
The crows show up in more numbers, but still keep their distance from the vultures.
I guess the bigger birds do not put up with smaller birds feeding on their find.
It is a waiting game for the crows, they want to eat too but waiting for the big birds to leave.
Seems like they have filled their bellies and now waiting to digest a bit before they can take off. They will eat so much they need to wait awhile before they can become airborne it would seem.
The stuffed vulture waddle.
