Return to the Ozarks Region Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Do buzzards migrate?
| | |
Posted by Christie_SW_MO Z6 (My Page) on Thu, Dec 1, 05 at 18:27
| Inquiring minds want to know. : ) |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Do buzzards migrate?
| | |
| Christie, that is exactly what my husband and I were wondering up here in Pennsylvania! The question arose when we were driving home from work back when it first started getting really chilly here and we noticed buzzards swarming -- I can't say that I remember ever seeing that in Missouri. There were hundreds of them all swirling around in the sky and when we wondered why they were doing that one of the things that popped up was maybe they're getting ready to leave....Although neither one of us had ever heard of buzzards migrating as a flock. As the conversation went on we left it by saying of all the birds we read about and research, neither one of us has ever had the desire (in the past) to check up on the habits of buzzards. But now, I too, would like to know..... |
RE: Do buzzards migrate?
| | |
The Turkey Vulture, commonly known as a "Buzzard", does migrate from the Northern states into the Southern states and some as far as S America. There is an annual Buzzards celebration during March in Hinkley, OH, heralding their return. They, along with the Black Vulture, are permanent residents in Southern states. They are soaring birds and rely on rising air currents(thermals) to support their flight. During Northern winters, they would have a difficult time finding prey, as frozen meat emits no odor and their alternate source of food; grasses, are dormant..
Usually, when a group is circling, they have spotted(smelled, with their acute sense) prey. a dead animal or garbage containing decaying animal remains in that vicinity. I have not heard or observed that they migrate in flocks(groups). Maybe someone else can solve that puzzle.
Rb |
RE: Do buzzards migrate?
| | |
| Thanks, Razorback! I'll see what I can dig up. All I know is that they do go away in winter but what I am most curious about is that behavior I described. It was a really weird sight and it wasn't consistent...One day there where hundreds of them swirling...then a week would go by and then there they were again. It was chilly, but if it was something that was decaying, it never got THAT chilly that things would freeze and the odors stop....Like Christie said..."inquiring minds..." |
RE: Do buzzards migrate?
| | |
| Well..I sent an email to the Turkey Vultures Society describing the flocking behavior I observed, and here is the response I received...FYI: "You were probably observing several different groups of Turkey Vultures in migration. During migration, large groups of vultures from all over the U.S. congregate along 3 major flyways (one flyway goes right over Gettysburg), working their way south until they have found a comfortable climate to winter in. THe migration lasts for up to 3 months. Some begin in Canada and end in the central U.S., and others travel as far as Mexico and South America. In migration, vultures conserve their energy by riding thermals (pockets of hot air) upward in a circling motion, then diving at a low angle, soaring for as long as they can before reaching another thermal. They rarely flap their wings. But these birds can not fly during the night. When the sun begins to set, they must settle wherever they are. This accounts for the occasional (or progressive) sightings of enormous groups of vultures in unusual areas." |
RE: Do buzzards migrate?
| | |
| I am a faithful Buzzard watcher! and can tell you YES they migrate and usually by this time of the year, they've returned to our area. However, this has been a very hard/cold/lots of snow winter and right now, they are still waiting to come back. Our ground is starting to show today, and our temps are milder "43" today. Our low was 8 degrees night before last. The Buzzard's are a welcome site to North Central Pa. |
RE: Do buzzards migrate?
| | |
| I saw hundreds of buzzards come over the house today Feb. 28in Durham NC. They were at different altitudes and headed south west. What wuld cause this??? |
RE: Do buzzards migrate?
| | |
| I haven't seen them come back yet this year. There is a dead tree close by where they roost at night and they are always riding the air currents over our house when they are here, but no sign of them so far. They are becoming a very common sight in the Missouri Ozarks. Sandy |
RE: Do buzzards migrate?
| | |
| They are very common here too but none to be seen now. One of the back roads I frequent often has several dozen basking in the sun with wings spread on the road early in the morning. No doubt they are taking advantage of the heat coming off the blacktop. |
RE: Do buzzards migrate?
| | |
| I live 1 hour north of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I took pictures today of 3 turkey vultures flying. At first I thought they were eagles but once on my computer,i zoomed in and it's a turkey vulture!... I hope this means spring is on it's way. |
RE: Do buzzards migrate?
| | |
| The buzzards are back! I saw them circling the woods a couple of days ago. There was a small flock of 5 or so. |
|
|
|
|
