Soaring effortlessly against the intense blue sky above Dog Island, a cloud of huge black birds road the thermals with only an occasional wing flap to interrupt their long lazy glides. As the flock continued their circles, one lone bird separated from the group and descended to land on a tin roof heated by the blazing sun overhead. From one foot to the other, the Turkey Vulture hopped its way down to a shady patch on the roof. You could almost hear "Ooh! Aah! Ow! Yikes! ..." as it made its way to a cool spot. A lone crow landed to harass him and after a few minutes, the vulture soared off into the skies again.
Florida is home to two of North America's vultures: the Turkey Vulture and the Black Vulture. Unlike their relative, the extremely endangered California Condor, Florida's vultures don't have an effective PR Department or Support Group. Although their diet and habits are similar to the condor, vultures are regularly described as "disgusting" and are often feared as evil omens. In reality, vultures provide a highly useful service of removing dead animals from our highways, fields, and beaches. Think how much more interesting the world would smell without their assistance! 
Soaring Turkey Vultures
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Despite the fact that vultures have always been grouped with the raptors in guidebooks, recent research has determined that vultures are more closely related to storks than raptors. Their legs and feet are not raptor-like, they are weaker and less capable of spearing prey. Their beaks do not have the strength or the sharp hook seen in raptors. Vultures' diets are primarily carrion (dead animals), but they have been known to take young mammals or birds from nests. Vultures also eat some vegetable matter; curiously, pumpkin appears to be a favorite food of the Turkey Vulture.
The Turkey Vulture, easily recognized in flight by its broad "V" shaped gliding and infrequent flapping, has a wingspan of about 6 feet. Approximately 25 inches long from head to tip of tail, the Turkey Vulture is a very dark grey bird with a naked red head. Unlike most birds, Turkey Vultures have an excellent sense of smell, which allows them to locate carrion easily, even when covered by fallen leaves. The Turkey Vulture is usually the first bird to locate a new kill.
Turkey Vultures are gregarious birds. Usually shy with people, vultures live in large extended family groups. Some roosts have been in continual use by the same family of birds for over one hundred years. You can see a good example of a large roost very near Cedar Key at Manatee Springs State Park. Take the boardwalk out to the river and look downstream on the left bank. You'll often see dozens of vultures perched in the well-used trees along the bank of the river.
Individual vultures locating a large meal communicate this information to the flock and have been seen to contact other non-family flocks when the meal is especially large. Turkey vultures have also been known to "invite" California Condors to the banquet.
Despite a belief that vultures are "dirty", vultures spend several hours each day preening and cleaning their plumage. They bathe frequently, sometimes in large groups.
Black Vultures are a bit smaller than their cousins – about 22 inches long with a 54 inch wingspan. Their coloration is almost entirely black with a wrinkled black, featherless head. Their habits and behaviors are similar to Turkey Vultures, although they have less of a sense of smell and rely on eyesight to locate their meals. Black vultures are also known for their aggressive behavior in forcing Turkey Vultures away from their meal.
While soaring, you can distinguish the Turkey Vulture from the Black Vulture by observing their colors – the Turkey Vulture has lighter patches of grey under the wings giving them a two-toned look from below in flight. The Black Vulture has white patches on his wingtips and appears to be solid black near the body. Also, Black Vultures hold their wings almost straight out, while Turkey Vultures hold their wings in a shallow "V" shape.
More vulture facts can be found at:
The Turkey Vulture Society: http://www.accutek.com/vulture/ Observations of Vultures: http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek030215.html | 
