Odd water birds - Wildlife Gardeners

Hedgerowe · 11-15-2009, 03:36 PM

Came across this scene today. I have never seen vultures wading around in the water before. Also thought it was time to give them credit where it is due, they do an important job that not many other birds are willing to do.

Also, it made me think of swimming turkeys.

biigblueyes · 11-15-2009, 04:00 PM

It's the weekend - maybe it was Bath Day.

Hedgerowe · 11-15-2009, 04:09 PM

From what I have read about how vultures try to stay cool, their legs could use a bath.

Sage · 11-16-2009, 09:14 PM

So cute!

Equilibrium · 11-17-2009, 01:00 AM

I've never seen any in water but... I did see one in my birdbath once. His toes were in the water and his wings were fully extended in what I call "bleach mode". Goofiest looking sight I'd ever seen. Get the visual of a crow sitting on your pinkie with his wings spread now think of a vulture in "bleach mode" on a 3' birdbath with an inch of water in the bowl. Cool photos Sage.

Hedgerowe · 11-17-2009, 05:09 AM

Ahem...Hedgerowe's photos of the weird water-vultures. Sage has the wonderful photos of amazing raptors. Hedgerowe has the odd vultures having a play date ("Hey! I know! Let's go out and pretend that we're ducks today!" "Oh, that would be so cool. No one will guess that it's us--let's go!")

biigblueyes · 11-17-2009, 08:07 AM

The vultures know thanksgiving is coming up, and wanted to make sure everyone knew they're NOT turkeys, so they decided to act like ducks. Little did they know that we now know that turkeys swim too. . . . Roast vulture for thanksgiving, anyone?

Sage · 11-17-2009, 12:03 PM

biigblueyes,

gnomenative · 11-18-2009, 09:37 AM

They are in the stork family and legs are vital in keeping cool. I have never seen anything like this before though. Often they poop on their own legs to cool off. They also throw up their dinner (remember what they eat) as a defense. It is pretty effective. I always dreaded working with injured ones at the raptor center.

biigblueyes · 11-18-2009, 10:02 AM

Tip to raptor centers - don't put the newbies handling the vultures, or you won't get repeat volunteers. . .

11-15-2009, 03:36 PM	#1
Hedgerowe Pope Join Date: May 2009 Location: Virginia	Odd water birds Came across this scene today. I have never seen vultures wading around in the water before. Also thought it was time to give them credit where it is due, they do an important job that not many other birds are willing to do. Also, it made me think of swimming turkeys.

11-15-2009, 04:00 PM	#2
biigblueyes WG Facilitator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cajun Country, Louisiana, USA	It's the weekend - maybe it was Bath Day. __________________ My yarden and I lean a little to the wild side.

11-16-2009, 09:14 PM	#4
Sage POM Judge & Official Non Gardener Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA	So cute! __________________ *~Facebook~ ~Peregrine Place~ ~Flickr~ ~Instagram Pix~*

11-17-2009, 01:00 AM	#5
Equilibrium Official Plant Nerd Join Date: Dec 2008	I've never seen any in water but... I did see one in my birdbath once. His toes were in the water and his wings were fully extended in what I call "bleach mode". Goofiest looking sight I'd ever seen. Get the visual of a crow sitting on your pinkie with his wings spread now think of a vulture in "bleach mode" on a 3' birdbath with an inch of water in the bowl. Cool photos Sage. __________________ "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

11-17-2009, 08:07 AM	#7
biigblueyes WG Facilitator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cajun Country, Louisiana, USA	The vultures know thanksgiving is coming up, and wanted to make sure everyone knew they're NOT turkeys, so they decided to act like ducks. Little did they know that we now know that turkeys swim too. . . . Roast vulture for thanksgiving, anyone? __________________ My yarden and I lean a little to the wild side.

11-15-2009, 04:09 PM	#3
Hedgerowe Pope Join Date: May 2009 Location: Virginia	From what I have read about how vultures try to stay cool, their legs could use a bath.

11-17-2009, 05:09 AM	#6
Hedgerowe Pope Join Date: May 2009 Location: Virginia	Ahem...Hedgerowe's photos of the weird water-vultures. Sage has the wonderful photos of amazing raptors. Hedgerowe has the odd vultures having a play date ("Hey! I know! Let's go out and pretend that we're ducks today!" "Oh, that would be so cool. No one will guess that it's us--let's go!")

11-17-2009, 12:03 PM	#8
Sage POM Judge & Official Non Gardener Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA	biigblueyes, __________________ *~Facebook~ ~Peregrine Place~ ~Flickr~ ~Instagram Pix~*

11-18-2009, 09:37 AM	#9
gnomenative Grub Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Montgomery, Illinois	They are in the stork family and legs are vital in keeping cool. I have never seen anything like this before though. Often they poop on their own legs to cool off. They also throw up their dinner (remember what they eat) as a defense. It is pretty effective. I always dreaded working with injured ones at the raptor center. __________________ It's the flock, the grove, that matters. Our responsibility is to species, not to specimens; to communities, not to individuals." ~Sara Stein Living Landscapes: http://www.livinglandscapescompany.com/

11-18-2009, 10:02 AM	#10
biigblueyes WG Facilitator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cajun Country, Louisiana, USA	Tip to raptor centers - don't put the newbies handling the vultures, or you won't get repeat volunteers. . . __________________ My yarden and I lean a little to the wild side.

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