Surprise visitors in my backyard today....
 

Had 2 of them checking things out....maybe the pigeon I shot earlier.

https://i.imgur.com/q2Y0xzW.jpg

Turkey vulture correct, what a great look at them

Yes, turkey vultures. They've been around for quite a few years now....but never in my yard.

Not a handsome bird

Got this one hang in my shop.

Vulture hang around when something is going to die. Are you healthy and mobile ? :lol:

Grizz

Are they protected?

saw a National Geographic
 

Episode that proved vultures can also find their food by scent.It was in Central America and they hid a dead animal with some brush along with the overhead 300ft jungle canopy.Low and behold they located it.They speculate that the T-Rex was a scavenger as well because they have a very similar skull structure and nasal passages.

Had one hanging around about a week ago. Too far away for a picture.

Pretty sure all raptors/birds of prey are protected here. Could be wrong though.

Doesn't show as one of the unprotected species as listed in the hunting regs...I assume they are protected.

Good picture. Interestingly enough, the great symbol of the United States, The Bald Eagle is actually a member of the Vulture family. Slightly better looking but all the same behavioral characteristics.

Triva
 

Ben Franklin wanted the turkey for the US national bird not a scavenger.

A true reflection of the country. :lol:

Grizz

Raptors are all opportunists and scavengers as they need to be.

Without America Canada's national emblem wold be a bat!

Gotta watch where you bury your victims on your property with those guys around. They are likely to surprise you and dig one of em' up.

Great photo of a very cool bird!

I'm a Bat fan.

https://i.imgur.com/BxXHl2J.jpg

That's the Baccardi logo by the way. :lol:

Grizz

The turkey vulture is protected by the provincial wildlife act.

Vultures nest from the central Red Deer river valley to north of Cold Lake.

If you have an old open end barn vultures could be eyeing up a nesting spot.

I’ve seen the most around the smoky lake/st Paul/ bonneyville area for some reason.

They have always been very abundant up here.

Eagles are just vultures with good PR.

Yes under the migratory bird act.

About 8 yrs ago, in late Nov. or early Dec. I was headed out to shoot some coyotes. My travels took me past a popular dam for fishing, I could not see any vehicles but wanted to check for ice so I drove up on the dam. In the distance I could see a head and neckless goose? I drove over, and it was a turkey vulture eating a whitefish, there were about 1/2 a dozen laying on the ice. I could see where somone had fallen through the ice and broke it to get back to shore, a very short distance, about 20ft. Whoever it was abandoned all his gear and the fish and left the scene. Was shocked to see the vulture so late in the season. Get out enough and you will see some weird chit.