Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) are a common sight in the skies over much of the continental United States. With their large wingspans and characteristic wobbly flight patterns, these scavengers play an important ecological role by helping to keep the landscape clean. But despite their value, turkey vultures have long had a complicated relationship with humans. These birds were historically seen as pests by ranchers, who blamed them for killing newborn livestock. And their sinister appearance and dietary habits have contributed to a reputation as creepy, dirty scavengers. This has raised questions around whether turkey vultures are legally protected in the US, or if landowners are free to harass or kill them as they see fit.
Turkey vulture status under federal law
At the federal level, turkey vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA). This law implements protections established by treaties between the US and Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia, which prohibit the hunting, killing, trading, and other activities that would negatively impact migratory birds. The MBTA protects over 1,000 species of birds, including turkey vultures. It is illegal under the MBTA to “pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill” turkey vultures without a permit or outside of the limited allowed hunting seasons for game species. The law also prohibits disturbing turkey vulture nests. Violating the MBTA can result in fines up to $15,000 and even imprisonment for repeat offenses.
So at the federal level, there are strict rules in place to protect turkey vultures year-round across the US. However, enforcement of the MBTA has been inconsistent, with relatively few cases brought against violators. The law also does not prevent habitat destruction or incidental deaths from things like wind turbines or oil pits. But it establishes an important baseline level of year-round protection for turkey vultures on private and public lands across the country.
State and local turkey vulture protections
In addition to federal law, some states and localities have additional rules that protect turkey vultures:
State laws
– California – Fully protected under the California Fish and Game Code, banning all hunting or harassment. Fines up to $5,000 and/or 6 months jail time.
– Florida – Year-round protection under Florida Administrative Code. Up to $500 fine for killing turkey vultures.
– Illinois – Fully protected as endangered/threatened species under Wildlife Code. Illegal to harass or kill.
– Several other states (e.g. Virginia, Pennsylvania) – Turkey vultures are designated species of special concern, which prohibits direct persecution.
Local and regional protections
– Sonoran Desert – Tucson, AZ ordinance identifies turkey vulture nests as protected sentinel nests.
– Howard County, MD – Zoning laws prohibit disturbing turkey vulture nests.
– King County, WA – Vulture nests protected under code for species of local importance.
So protections can vary significantly depending on location. Some states and cities have robust laws shielding turkey vultures year-round, while others rely solely on the MBTA. It’s important to check both federal regulations and local laws before taking any action that could disturb turkey vultures.
Why are turkey vultures federally protected?
There are several reasons why turkey vultures have been designated as a protected species under federal law:
They are native wildlife
Turkey vultures are native to the ecosystems of North and South America. Protecting native species supports biodiversity and healthy ecosystem functioning. Their decline or extinction would be an alarming indicator of environmental degradation.
They provide ecological services
As scavengers, turkey vultures play a critical role in cleaning up carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases like anthrax and rabies. Vultures can clean up a carcass entirely in under 30 minutes, before pathogens have a chance to proliferate. Removing turkey vultures would have cascading negative ecological impacts.
They are not major agricultural pests
Unlike species like starlings and feral hogs, turkey vultures do not pose substantial threats to agriculture or infrastructure. Despite ranchers’ complaints, research shows turkey vultures prefer to scavenge and rarely kill live animals. Their protected status acknowledges this low level of conflict.
They have small, vulnerable populations
Turkey vultures have naturally low reproductive rates, with females laying just 1-3 eggs per year. Their populations are vulnerable to decline if faced with consistent mortality pressures. Conservation helps maintain healthy population numbers over the long term.
They are vulnerable to human activity
Long-lived but slow-reproducing, turkey vultures are susceptible to a range of human impacts. Shootings, poisonings, and disturbances like construction near nests can wipe out local populations. Protections help shield them from reckless persecution or accidental harm from human land uses.
In summary, turkey vultures are protected because they play valuable ecological roles while generally avoiding damage to human interests. Their inherently vulnerable life histories and populations make conservation regulations appropriate and necessary.
Major threats to turkey vultures
While protected under federal law, turkey vultures still face a variety of threats across their range:
Intentional killings
Some ranchers and livestock operators continue to perceive vultures as a threat and illegally shoot or poison them. Vultures are also killed intentionally by people who consider them nuisances or find them unsettling. Even occasional killings can destabilize local vulture populations.
Habitat loss
Development, logging, and agriculture reduce available nesting sites and habitats used by turkey vultures. Their life histories make vultures slow to recolonize areas where habitat has been altered.
Poisonings
Turkey vultures are highly susceptible to poisonings, both intentional and accidental. They succumb to baits left out for predators, rodenticides, and lead ammunition in scavenged carcasses. These poisoning risks can wipe out many vultures at once.
Collisions
Turkey vultures frequently collide with vehicles when scavenging roadkill. Their low and wobbly flight also increases their vulnerability to collisions with buildings and wind turbines.
Disturbance
Turkey vultures abandon nests and nesting areas when faced with consistent loud noise, human encroachment, or other disruptive activities. They rarely re-nest within a breeding season once disturbed.
Disease
While vultures are resistant to many livestock pathogens, they are still vulnerable to avian diseases like West Nile virus, avian influenza, and aspergillosis. Disease outbreaks have potential to spread rapidly through vulture populations.
Protecting habitat, maintaining undisturbed nesting sites, and reducing poisonings and persecution will be key to ensuring healthy turkey vulture numbers into the future. Their scavenging provides a quiet but important ecosystem service.
Turkey vulture nesting and breeding habits
Turkey vultures have some unique nesting behaviors and requirements that contribute to their protection under law:
Cliffside nest sites
Turkey vultures nest on secluded cliff ledges, in caves, inside hollow trees or logs, and in abandoned buildings. Accessible nests sites are limited, making undisturbed sites valuable.
Long-term nest reuse
Pairs will use and renovate the same nest for up to 35 years. Disturbing long-established nests can permanently impact local breeding.
Winter through summer residents
Turkey vultures inhabit breeding areas year-round instead of migrating north each spring. Resident birds are very vulnerable if local habitat is altered.
Slow maturing and breeding
Turkey vultures don’t begin breeding until 4-5 years old and only raise 1-2 chicks per year. Nesting disturbance can quickly reduce recruitment.
Egg and chick vulnerability
Their eggs and chicks are prone to overheating, chilling, or desiccation if adults are flushed from the nest too frequently.
Because turkey vultures are habitually sensitive and slow to recover from nest disruptions, protections for nest sites and breeding adults are crucial for maintaining productivity.
Myths and facts about turkey vultures
Myths and misinformation have fueled persecution of turkey vultures. But research-based facts paint a very different picture of their ecological roles and behavior:
Myth | Fact |
---|---|
Vultures kill newborn livestock | Vultures prefer scavenging. Studies show they very rarely kill live animals. |
Vultures spread diseases | Vultures’ acidic stomachs kill bacteria from carcasses. They help control livestock diseases. |
Vultures are a sign of death | Vultures circling indicates a possible food source, not imminent death. |
Vultures are creepy and dirty | While not beautiful to human eyes, vultures groom extensively and fill an important niche. |
Vultures are useless vermin | As ecosystem cleaners, vultures provide a free and efficient disposal service. |
Shedding these misconceptions helps underscore the valuable ecological roles that turkey vultures play.
Turkey vulture viewing opportunities
While some may not want turkey vultures nesting on their own property, there are many public areas that offer safe and respectful vulture viewing opportunities:
Hawkwatch sites
Many migratory hotspots like Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania and Franklins Hawk Watch in Mexico offer monthly counts and education programs focused on turkey vultures and other raptors. These sites provide bases for viewing the birds in flight during migration.
Protected breeding habitats
Public lands like parks, wildlife refuges, and other protected areas give people the chance to potentially view turkey vulture nests and breeding behaviors from a safe distance without causing disturbance.
Locations with wildlife cameras
Some nature centers and conservation organizations have live-streamed turkey vulture nest cams that provide insight into their family life without impacts. Cornell Lab’s website has turkey vulture cam highlights.
Scavenger safaris and tours
Various eco-tour operators lead trips focusing on finding and observing turkey vultures and other scavenging species in action. Responsible guides ensure these tours do not disrupt natural behaviors.
Rehabilitation centers
A few wildlife rehabilitation facilities occasionally have turkey vultures in residence. Their education centers incorporate turkey vulture facts and give people exposure to the live birds.
With thousands of turkey vultures inhabiting areas across the country, opportunities abound for observing these misunderstood birds firsthand in ways that respect both their protections and their ecology.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to kill turkey vultures?
No. Turkey vultures are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits killing, hunting, or harming them without a permit. There are up to $15,000 in fines for violating the MBTA. However, some illegal killing still occurs.
Why do turkey vultures roost together?
Turkey vultures commonly roost in large groups of up to several hundred birds. Scientists think communal roosting may facilitate social interactions and mate-finding. Roosting together may also provide some safety benefits.
Do turkey vultures keep returning to the same areas each year?
Turkey vultures demonstrate high nest-site fidelity year after year. Pairs will reuse the same nesting spots annually as long as the sites remain undisturbed. They also often migrate through the same corridors each year.
How long do turkey vultures live?
Average lifespan in the wild is 10-12 years, but banded turkey vultures have been documented living over 16 years. Their survival depends heavily on avoiding human impacts like shootings, poisonings, and collisions.
Why are turkey vultures good for the environment?
As scavengers, turkey vultures provide natural waste management by quickly consuming carcasses that could otherwise breed diseases. Their appetite for carrion provides an important ecosystem service.
Do turkey vultures eat live animals too?
Turkey vultures’ diet is comprised almost exclusively of carrion. They do not have the powerful talons needed to kill and eat live prey. There is little evidence vultures kill animals aside from small, young, sickly, or already-dying animals.
How long do turkey vultures live in the wild?
The average lifespan for wild turkey vultures is around 10-12 years. The maximum documented lifespan is 16 years. Threats like shooting, poisoning, and collisions significantly impact survival rates. Removing these anthropogenic stressors could increase lifespans.
What eats turkey vultures?
Adult turkey vultures face predation predominantly from golden eagles, which occasionally prey on them. Turkey vulture eggs and nestlings can fall victim to a wider suite of predators including raptors, ravens, snakes, foxes, and raccoons.
Conclusion
Turkey vultures provide an under-recognized but critical ecological service as scavengers. Despite misplaced persecution, current federal laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protect turkey vultures from direct harm across the US. However, habitat loss, poisons, collisions, and other unintended human impacts continue to threaten stable turkey vulture populations. Public education and adhering to conservation laws and principles can help safeguard these uniquely adapted birds flying overhead. While not the most charismatic species, turkey vultures deserve recognition and protection for their invaluable niche in maintaining healthy ecosystems.