Monday, July 25, 2011

Turkey Vulture Migration Study

LOOK!  Up in the sky—it’s a bird, it’s a plane….its definitely a Turkey Vulture!


After spending the winter months as far south as South America, those winged wonders, the Turkey Vultures, are once again circling overhead in Missouri skies with their amazing demonstrations of avian aerodynamics.
On March 22, 2009 we ran a blog post about a Turkey Vulture migration study being done by researchers at the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in conjunction with other researchers in South America.  To review that post Click Here. 


If you’ve never paid particular attention to these birds in flight, stop for a few moments and really watch them.  You’ll be mesmerized!  Now that they’re back, this is your opportunity to be a part of an important ongoing study  about the migration habits of these fascinating birds.  To read more about the study's findings to date click here.  
There is a photo posted on the link of a bird wearing the tag so that you can see what it should look like.  So, the next time you see a turkey vulture soaring overhead, perched, or on the ground, stop what you're doing for a moment, and take a closer look.  That bird may be wearing some important jewelry!

Turkey vultures tagged for the tracking program may have blue, red or yellow wing tags. Anyone spotting a turkey vulture with a tag is asked to report it to the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Please note the location where you saw the bird, which wing the tag was on, the color, the number if possible, the bird’s behavior such as flying, perched or feeding, and whether it was with any other vultures.  Even if you’re not able to supply all the above information, contact them with whatever information you do have.
For more information on how, what and where to report Click Here.  
Once you’ve reported your sighting to the Hawk Mountain study, don’t forget to let us know about it by submitting a comment on our blog.
Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer

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