Tree-top turbulence helps flapping vultures soar

By Matt McGrath

Environment correspondent

24 December 2015 

Some species of vultures have developed the ability to tap into turbulent air as a way of gaining altitude according to a new study.

Researchers found that these species compensate for their poor flapping skills by seeking out turbulence at low altitudes.

The researchers say this explains their awkward, wobbling flying style near tree-tops.

The study is published in the journal The Auk: Ornithological Advances.

Sometimes called buzzards, Turkey vultures are the most widespread of these species in North America

They are unique among these birds as they use their sense of smell to find carrion.

For this study researchers in this study observed both Turkey and Black vultures in south eastern Virginia in the US.

According to the study's lead author Julie Mallon, then at the University of West Virginia, these particular vultures have evolved a different style of flying, skirting low along the edge of forests.

"It's an energetic thing," she told BBC News.

Continued ...

Hearts, birds soar as volunteers release rehabilitated Utah raptors

 Orem • With a chorus of one-two-threes to help it on its way, a turkey vulture beat its massive wings, sank to the ground in front of a crowd of well-wishers and took off into the smoky atmosphere in the hills above Orem on Saturday.

The bird, gender undetermined, was one of three vultures, a Cooper’s hawk and a Swainson’s hawk released by members of Great Basin Wildlife Rescue, a tiny group of volunteer and licensed animal rescuers who rehabilitate and release hundreds of injured birds back into the wild every year.

"It’s just amazing," said Andalya Hall, 15, a Great Basin volunteer and student at Springville High School, who released another vulture. "After helping with these birds, to feed them, clean their pens, weigh them and then get to release them is such an amazing feeling."

In one way or another, each of these raptors — yes, vultures are raptors, just like hawks, falcons and eagles — would have met an untimely end if it hadn’t been for Great Basin’s volunteers. Two vultures had been shot; the third was found with a broken wing. The Swainson’s hawk tumbled from its mother’s nest when it was a chick. The Cooper’s hawk had been struck by a golf ball and, after being released once before, crashed into a Great Basin building last week.

Continued:  http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54947934-78/birds-basin-raptors-hawk.html.csp