Understanding the differences between buzzards and vultures, including how different words may refer to the same birds, can help birders better communicate which birds they see and share their sightings with others.
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Some species migrate in large groups, and occasionally thousands of individuals can be seen at one time. These birds seem to fill the sky as they soar to great heights on one thermal and then glide slowly to pick up the next thermal along their path of travel, using the presence of other birds to identify the otherwise invisible habitat of rising, warm air.
Buzzards defend a territory during their breeding season. The territory is proclaimed by aerial displays and by loud, harsh screams. Buzzards nest in trees. Often the nest was built by another species, such as crows or ravens, and is then appropriated by the buzzard. These birds actually prefer to eat fresh food, and they try to get to animals as quickly as possible after their death.
These birds are dark, and they absorb heat easily. To cool themselves off, they defecate on their legs to cool the blood and help them moderate their body temperature. As you can imagine, they are often seen along roadsides eating animals that have been hit by cars. They are also frequently observed soaring the skies in the open countryside.
When these raptors are frightened, they can be so full of meat that they cannot rapidly fly away. Bear in mind that even if they miss, they are vultures that are eating rotting meat, so just try to imagine the odor. The only sound a Turkey Vulture can manage is hissing. They lack vocal organs. Lastly, these scavengers are popular and have an entire day dedicated to them!
I grew up in Hinckley and used to attend this event yearly, participating in everything from the pancake breakfast to helping count the returning vultures! Black Vultures primarily eat carrion, but unlike most other vultures, they are known to kill animals to feed on fresh meat. These birds get their name because their entire body is covered in black feathers and a bald head that features black skin.
But as they are soaring, you can see silver feathers on the underside of their wings. Just remember that Black Vultures have black-colored heads and are short and compact, where Turkey Vultures have red-colored heads and are longer and lankier. If they are soaring above you, Black Vultures will display silvery wingtips. The loyal pair are excellent parents and will defend their nest, eggs, and young vigorously.
Interestingly, these vultures build their nests on the ground in stumps, caves, thickets, brush piles, or hollow trees. There are two general classifications of vultures: Old World vultures and New World vultures. While both types share striking characteristics and occupy the same environmental niche as "nature's clean-up crew" there are actually significant geographic and evolutionary distinctions between them. Both New World and Old World vultures look similar with their bald or nearly bald heads, heavy bodies, broad wings, and hooked bills.
The two distinct groups also act similarly when they scavenge on carcasses and carrion, often gathering in large groups at suitable food sources. Most vultures around the world even prefer similar tropical and subtropical habitats with relatively open vegetation. Ornithologists have investigated the different species from both vulture groups through genetic testing and analysis, however, and now believe those similarities are due to convergent evolution.
Both groups of birds evolved independently and are not closely related in genetic or biological terms. Instead, they developed their close similarities because of similar environmental needs during the eons of their evolutionary process.
Nevertheless, the threats facing these birds are the same worldwide, and they all need our help so they can continue to keep the environment clean.
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