The day after Thanksgiving and the remains of yesterday’s dinner appear quite picked over. The culinary centerpiece, a turkey of pterodactyl proportions, appears to have been consumed by a namesake bird…the turkey buzzard.
While two entirely different species, the shape and coloration of the head is the dominant similarity between the two.
It is true the public’s perception of turkey buzzards is somewhere between loathsome and disgusting. Turkeys on the other hand are considered tasty, but somewhat less than intelligent.
It is likely no one has ever deemed it a complement to be called an old buzzard, or a young one for that matter. An identity as a turkey could be considered a pejorative, but at least without the negative sanitary implications.
The distinctive red head and neck identify this large black bird as a turkey buzzard. Its function in the environment is as a cleanup service for other creatures which have died in the natural area or have been killed on the roadside. While not usually considered a popular fowl, it is necessary to have these birds doing their job.
Turkey buzzards are classified as New World Vultures residing in and above panhandle Florida. Their genetic cousins are other North and South American vultures, and California and Andean Condors.
Fossils from the Pleistocene epoch in Florida indicate the turkey buzzard had ancestors in residence during that active period of glacial encroachment.
No doubt they were cleaning up saber-toothed tiger leftovers long before roadkill and turkey leftovers became common.
Curiously there is not a close genetic relationship with vultures occupying Europe and Asia. These Old World Vultures are thought to have developed separately, but with similar traits which are employed for the same purposes and results.
Turkey buzzards are scavengers, but on rare occasions they will attack small or helpless animals when their dining opportunities are limited. Most close encounters with these birds are by a road when they are enjoying the misfortunate of some unlucky deer, armadillo or other roadside casualty.
Unlike many inhabitants of the avian world, buzzards do not have the vocal organ to chirp, crow, or trill. They can emit only a primeval grunt or raucous hisses which compound their image problem as crude savages.
Adding to their brutish image are their nesting skills. Turkey buzzard eggs are laid in protected areas with little to no nest construction.
In contrast to their harsh appearance and practices they are true feathered egalitarians. Both the turkey buzzard male and female incubate the eggs.
The young hatch in 30 to 40 days, and their flight training begins at 10 weeks of age.
Turkey buzzards use their excellent sight and efficient sense of smell to locate meals. This redundant system for finding fine dining is the envy of Old World Vultures which must depend strictly on sharp eyesight.
The turkey buzzard’s superior sense of smell has been employed by natural gas companies for years. Natural Gas is odorless and undetectable when pumped to the surface.
A blend of chemicals is added to natural gas as part of an odorant blend/safety effort.
Gas pipeline leak detection is easier in remote areas because buzzards will confuse the added odor for carrion and circle above the source.
As leisurely graceful as turkey buzzards are in the air, their appearance on foot is cartoonish. A featherless head, a tufted collar and a hopping gait make it an ideal candidate for mockery and disdain.
Personal foibles and shortcomings aside, the turkey buzzard population tirelessly serves the citizens of North America as a seven-day-a-week clean-up crew.
While no empirical research has been conducted, their no-cost removal of roadside dead animals likely saves taxpayers thousands of dollars in disposal costs.
Additionally, there is evidence that their tidying labors minimize the spread of some diseases which would occur in decaying flesh.
If only they could clean up the table and wash the dishes after the Thanksgiving feast.
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