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Post by Trix on Jul 27, 2016 3:14:32 GMT -5
Art Lander’s Outdoors: Vultures can be nuisance on the highway, predator of newborn calves Jul 27th, 2016 Kentuckians have a conflicted relationship with vultures. While they clean up the carcasses of dead animals, they are something of a nuisance and potential danger to motorists driving rural backroads. They gather in rowdy groups on the pavement or at road sides, feasting on road kill deer, raccoon, skunks or other critters. As vehicles approach, they sometimes fly up into traffic. Despite their scavenging ways, providing a valuable service, one species found in Kentucky does occasionally kill newborn farm animals, mostly cattle. Vulture roosts are noisy and smelly, not something you want near your farmhouse, vacation cabin or barn. They roost at night and during cold weather spend less time aloft. Vultures feed on rotting, maggot-laden flesh. Vocalizations are grunts and low hisses. It’s easy to see why vultures have a public relations problem. But their aerial acrobatics are quite impressive. They are able to ride thermals to impressive heights, and glide effortlessly with few wingbeats, spiraling back down to the ground, their keen eyesight and sense of smell helping them locate fresh carcasses. Turkey and black vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. They cannot be killed without a federal permit. Read More: www.kyforward.com/art-landers-outdoors-vultures-can-be-nuisance-on-the-highway-predator-of-newborn-calves/
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