See the 2 Vultures Found in Ohio and How to Identify Them

Black Vultures

The first thing to do to identify black vultures is to look at their black head, where their name comes from. Most vulture species are believed to have evolved a featherless head to prevent uncleanliness when feeding. But the usual red skin visible on most vulture species isn’t there, instead the black vulture boasts its namesake black head. Giving it a gloomy, almost crow-like appearance, the black vulture carries the stereotypical negative air of vultures perfectly. 

Another way to identify black vultures compared to turkey vultures while they’re on the ground is by their stance. Black vultures have a wider gap between their feet than turkey vultures, and their tail stays higher off the ground. But when a black vulture is too far to see its head, there are still other features that give it away. While flying high above the ground, its still possible to identify a black vulture via a few specific details. When soaring or circling for prey, black vultures hold their wings out straight across in a line. Their wing shape, when seen from below, is rounder and more curved, with a round tail behind the wings. 

The Destructive Ways of Black Vultures!

Black vultures, when compared to turkey vultures, can also be significantly more destructive. Roosting in large groups together, black vultures occasionally occupy woods near towns and cities. In these instances, they can damage homes and businesses with their claws. Roof shingles, window caulking, vent seals and pool covers have all fallen victim to the sharp claws of black vultures. Furthermore, they rip rubber window seals and wipers off of cars parked outside, necessitating expensive repairs. 

The byproducts of black vultures roosting in big groups around population centers is another big problem. The feces and regular vomit they produce can accumulate on roots, communication towers and even parts of the electrical system. This can even cause power outages, which obviously impacts the entire community! While black vultures usually are scavengers, they occasionally will attack smaller animals. Calves, lambs and piglets can become victims of black vultures, causing farmers to have issues with these scavengers. 

The government of Ohio has organized a system for farmers to deal with black vultures in certain circumstances. Due to their crucial role in the environment, black vultures are afforded protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Therefore, a permit is required to use lethal force on black vultures, or individuals may face fines or imprisonment. Additionally, the 2018 Farm Bill offers a Livestock Indemnity Program, meaning farmers can apply for compensation for losses.

Turkey Vultures

Identifying turkey vultures is relatively easy, especially when comparing them to black vultures to distinguish the two. Compared to the all black head of black vultures, turkey vultures feature a distinctive, bright red head. When observing them from relatively close, turkey vultures also have a distinct way of standing. Their long wing feathers fold against their body to fall in line with its tail feathers. The tail of a turkey vulture dips down closer to the ground than a black vulture, nearly scraping the ground. 

The legs of a turkey vulture are also bright red, the same shade as its head. When compared to a black vulture, a turkey vulture’s legs also stand much closer together. When looking at a turkey vulture in the air, a few stand-out details help make it easily identifiable. A flying turkey vulture holds its wings in a v-shape formation while soaring and looking for carcasses to scavenge. When directly below a turkey vulture, one can distinguish the angular formation of its wings against the more rounded out wings of a black vulture. 

Turkey Vulture Nesting Habits

The majority of turkey vultures in Ohio decide to nest on the ground, in hollow logs, trees, and dense brush thickets. Turkey vultures most commonly constructed these nests in undisturbed woodlands, far from human population centers. As is true with black vultures in Ohio, the amount of nests found on the ground or in abandoned builds has increased in recent decades. Interestingly, the locations of these nests have not been found to directly correlate with the roosting choices of turkey vultures. 

The protection has been beneficial for turkey vultures, leading to a relative abundance of the species within the state. The areas most heavily covered in farmland feature the least dense population of turkey vultures. This is likely due to farmers scaring the birds away from their livestock to avoid any incidents. Breeding adult turkey vultures can wander as far as 8-12 miles, showing just how far these scavengers will go for a meal. The statewide distribution of turkey vultures hasn’t changed too much during the last century, but are beginning to slowly spread northward throughout the great lakes region.