When I first saw Vinnie, I felt somewhat uneasy with his appearance. Every morning, when we walked out on our deck, drinking our morning coffee, there perched Vinnie in his favorite Utah Juniper tree. We would look at him. He would look at us. Creepy, just creepy. We would try to focus on more positive creatures, such as the sweet sound of dove, the possibility of the presence of elk or the chirping of native birds but Vinnie did not waver. He did not fly away. He just looked at us. Never wavering in stance. Watching, staring, watching and staring.

As time has passed, we have grown accustomed to Vinnie. As you may have noticed, we have reached an understanding -- almost an attachment -- to this huge black bird with the red, RED head -- enough to give him a name, “Vinnie, the vulture.” I think he has reached a comfort zone with us too as sometimes he brings his friends to perch in the tree with him and stare at us.

Perhaps, the intimidation of Vinnie is from the fact he is a turkey vulture, otherwise labeled as Cathartes aura. Turkey vultures are known to feed on dead tissue of DEAD animals -- thus providing the stigma associated with these huge black birds which can weigh up to five pounds -- in fact a little over. Out of curiosity surrounding our new friend(?) or rather acceptance of his presence, I decided to find out more information on turkey vultures.  

As with any species, there is the BAD and there is the GOOD. Unfortunately, according to all my research, there are some disgusting habits associated with Vinnie and turkey vultures. Turkey vultures rarely kill prey; they simply fly low enough to smell the gases, known as ethyl mercapton (according to Wikipedia), which is the beginning smell of tissue decay. Yuck! Then, of course, they begin their feast on the poor deceased. Interestingly, their cousin, the black vulture DOES prey on the weak and sometimes Vinnie’s kind will fly with them for the reward of dead meat their cousins supply in the aftermath of the kill. Yuck!

The difference between appearance of the two species is simply that the turkey vulture has a red head and the black vulture has a black head.

One good habit of the turkey vulture is parenting. Both parents guard the nest, usually raising two chicks a year. Both parents furnish food to their young, taking part in the upbringing of the future flock. But the food provided to the young is regurgitated, already ingested dead meat. Maybe appetizing to the young turkey vulture but REALLY? Poor chicks. Dead meat? Regurgitated dead meat?

Perhaps, another disturbing habit the turkey vulture has is defecating on its legs and feet. Whew! That is nasty! However, in the defense of Vinnie and his friends, this action helps to lower his body temperature which may be a lifesaver in this Arizona heat. (Do not think any of us need to try this!)

Also, the turkey vulture has very few predators. (No KIDDING! Imagine the taste!) Apparently, if the turkey vulture feels threatened, it simply regurgitates a smelly, very stinky odor similar to the odor of foul-smelling decaying meat which turns the predator promptly away. Should the foul-smelling liquid touch the predator’s eyes or face, it stings. No need for words here -- no telling what that foul-smelling liquid is. 

Symbolically, any sighting of a vulture is considered a bad omen, representing death and darkness. However, the turkey vulture is a creature of irony for it is also symbolic of renewal, cleanliness and resourcefulness. Being on the positive side, I will defend Vinnie for I believe he and his friends do help clean up roadkill. I believe Vinnie is very resourceful flying with his preying cousins so they can provide him food and I believe Vinnie is a symbol of renewal in trying to reach outside his boundaries to get acquainted with us and renew our hope in what is ordinarily considered a scary and frightful relationship.

From our house to yours, may you have a very safe and happy Halloween. May you enjoy the PEACEFUL spirit of the beautiful Southwest! And -- just to share my future thoughts about Vinnie and his friends: if I see a flock of black vultures instead of turkey vultures, I am RUNNING!!! Blessings!