What do buzzards eat?

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Many people in the United States, according to the Turkey Vulture Society website, incorrectly call turkey vultures and black vultures buzzards. These large North American birds share a similar diet.

Turkey Vulture Diet

The turkey vulture's diet consists of such things as carrion and plant matter. The bird will use its incredible eyesight and sense of smell to locate dead animals and then land on the ground to partake of them.

Black Vulture Diet

Black vultures also eat dead animals, and the bird is a skilled scavenger, but this species of "buzzard" is opportunistic. The black vulture will kill weak newborn animals when it has the chance and eat them as well as the eggs of other birds.

Function

Turkey vultures and black vultures have nearly bald heads devoid of feathers because they stick their heads inside of carcasses to eat. The lack of feathers allows the sun to bake off and kill any bacteria that get on the bird's head.

Considerations

Turkey vultures will scan the shores of rivers and streams for dead fish, which is one of their choice meals. Black vultures will congregate at garbage dumps and find a meal there.

Misconceptions

Contrary to what most people accept as fact, vultures circling in the air are not a sure indication of a dead or dying creature below. The birds take advantage of rising thermal air currents to gain altitude as they soar and conserve energy, which results in this circular flight pattern in many instances.

Source:

Turkey Vulture Society: Turkey Vulture Facts, Maps and Statistics

Avian Web: American Black Vultures

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What do buzzards eat?

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