Comments on: Vulture Dance http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/02/27/vulture-dance/ A Bird Watcher's View of the World Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:11:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Kate StJ http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/02/27/vulture-dance/#comment-648 Kate StJ Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:26:01 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/02/27/vulture-dance/#comment-648 Per Cornell Lab's Birds of North America Online, turkey vultures are partially migratory. They are cold-hardy but move south "probably in response to drop in temperature (see Tyler 1937), to snow cover, and to winter storms; frozen carcasses are hard to eat." Interestingly, both species of vultures have a wider range in South America than they do in North America and they stay there all year. The turkey vulture's range extends to Tierra del Fuego. Both species are expanding their summer ranges northward, so perhaps we're actually seeing South American birds invading North America. Per Cornell Lab’s Birds of North America Online, turkey vultures are partially migratory. They are cold-hardy but move south “probably in response to drop in temperature (see Tyler 1937), to snow cover, and to winter storms; frozen carcasses are hard to eat.”

Interestingly, both species of vultures have a wider range in South America than they do in North America and they stay there all year. The turkey vulture’s range extends to Tierra del Fuego. Both species are expanding their summer ranges northward, so perhaps we’re actually seeing South American birds invading North America.

]]> By: Vern http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/02/27/vulture-dance/#comment-647 Vern Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:19:45 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/02/27/vulture-dance/#comment-647 I intersted in your Vulture and Frozen Food theory. We have both in south central PA in the winter, though in the winter the Black's outnumber the Turkey's, and while our winters are a tad milder than in Pittsburgh it is not that different. Is this frozen food theory something you have read or your own summizing? I intersted in your Vulture and Frozen Food theory. We have both in south central PA in the winter, though in the winter the Black’s outnumber the Turkey’s, and while our winters are a tad milder than in Pittsburgh it is not that different. Is this frozen food theory something you have read or your own summizing?

]]> By: Marjorie http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/02/27/vulture-dance/#comment-646 Marjorie Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:44:38 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/02/27/vulture-dance/#comment-646 That's it. What did you think about it? St. Augustine is also very nice and I stayed in Palm Coast a while once which is more like suburbs and was expanding unfortunately. On About.com there's a forum about birding/wild birds with some very interesting people and information. One woman lives in FL and she often posts some gorgeous photos of not just birds, but dragonflies, lizards, etc. That’s it. What did you think about it? St. Augustine is also very nice and I stayed in Palm Coast a while once which is more like suburbs and was expanding unfortunately. On About.com there’s a forum about birding/wild birds with some very interesting people and information. One woman lives in FL and she often posts some gorgeous photos of not just birds, but dragonflies, lizards, etc.

]]> By: Kate StJ http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/02/27/vulture-dance/#comment-643 Kate StJ Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:34:12 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/02/27/vulture-dance/#comment-643 I've been to a place called Blue Spring State Park near Orange City which sounds a lot like what you're describing. I've seen the manatees and taken a boat tour there. The website is at http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.cfm I’ve been to a place called Blue Spring State Park near Orange City which sounds a lot like what you’re describing. I’ve seen the manatees and taken a boat tour there. The website is at http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.cfm

]]> By: Marjorie http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/02/27/vulture-dance/#comment-642 Marjorie Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:27:53 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/02/27/vulture-dance/#comment-642 Have you ever been to the St. John River when you're down FL? That's a great tour by boat--lots of water birds, and other birds (incl. raptors) besides the gators, otters, etc. They also have a small inlet area near the boat launch site that manatees frequent in the spring. I believe it is near DeBary or Deltona, in Orange City/County, which is inland but on same "level" as Daytona. Have you ever been to the St. John River when you’re down FL? That’s a great tour by boat–lots of water birds, and other birds (incl. raptors) besides the gators, otters, etc. They also have a small inlet area near the boat launch site that manatees frequent in the spring. I believe it is near DeBary or Deltona, in Orange City/County, which is inland but on same “level” as Daytona.

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