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Education Birds: Vultures
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JUNIOR
Turkey Vulture
JUNIOR, Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
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JUNIOR, Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) |
History: A farmer called about a lone turkey vulture in his field and one of our volunteers went to catch the bird. The chase took more than an hour because the bird could run quite fast and would stop just out of reach as soon as the volunteer rested. He was finally caught. He was emaciated and probably near starvation.
On examination it was found that his right wing cannot extend fully. It is fused at the wrist either due to a birth defect or an injury. Apparently, his parents raised him and provided food for him until it was time for them to migrate south. He could fly a little, but not soar and so he was left behind.
Over the years, Junior has developed arthritis in his right wing and he is on medication since November 2006. His winter quarters are heated.
Junior has definite opinions about people and will work with some but not others. He is extremely intelligent and likes to get the better of his handlers. He has a long memory.
Admission Date: Fall 1997
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FERDINAND
FERDINAND, Turkey Vulture
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With handler Angela
FERDINAND with his handler/trainer Angela
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FERDINAND, Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) |
History: Ferdinand was still a young bird when he arrived – his head had not yet turned red. Because he arrived after the turkey vultures had migrated south, Ferdinand stayed at Chintimini for the winter. We housed him together with Junior, our resident turkey vulture and education bird, for a while, but they did not get along too well. They had some issues about sharing food. In the spring of 2010 we let Ferdinand practice flying in the big flight cage and finally released him on the premises in April 2010, after all the turkey vultures had returned. But Ferdinand did not leave. It was a very cold and rainy spring and we started leaving food for him, hoping he would join other vultures and learn from them to fend for himself. But Ferdinand did not leave. Whenever Junior was outside with his handler, Ferdinand would join them. We recaptured him in May 2010 and, after another thorough examination determined that he has an anomaly with his left leg and left wing and probably could not soar. He moved back in with Junior. Ferdinand stepped up on the glove of Junior's handlers without any training – he probably learned by watching Junior. As for the food issues, they just have to work them out between them.
Admission Date: October 2009
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