Buzzard Emergency!

[Painted Calls]

Black Vultures do indeed take live prey in addition to eating carrion. They are also federally protected.

That aside, call a local wildlife rehab facility to come pick it up. I took one this year to my local wildlife rehabilitation center. Poor thing was beyond saving though. Broken keel, wing, and legs.

 

[Rldad1]

Please for the love of everything do not 'shoot the buzzard' as everyone is instructing. They do not kill living things and they never have. Black vultures are federally protected and killing one will land you in jail. Call your local wildlife rehab. They can send someone to look for him and set up something to catch him if they think it's worth the time. It's a old wives tale that they kill farm animals because people often see them go after something when it's already dying or has just died.

Black Buzzards will kill infant animals especially calves and lambs and they will kill chickens. They are however, protected under federal law and require a permit to shoot. Wildlife folks or rehab would be the best people to call. Turkey vultures (red heads) do not go after chickens or live prey.

 

[DaisyBuff]

Yesterday Afternoon when I was about to call the Wildlife rehab, My neighbor walked down to my house informing me that he had found the buzzard passed away in his yard behind a shed. At least I do not have to worry about him anymore. I am glad he passed away peacefully. I would not have the heart to shoot him anyway! I had a hen named buttercup. She had a hurt leg. My Friends, and neighbors informed me to end her misery and shoot her. I decided to give her a chance she lived a week longer, but died of possible infection. I would never shoot a bird. I am glad the buzzard will not bother my chickens anymore. Thank Everyone for their help! Me and my Hens Thank You.

 

[cmom]

Hello DaisyBuff Here. I have a problem and I need your help. There is a big black Buzzard Walking around with A hurt wing, and possibly a hurt foot. This morning, I walked outside to my backyard chicken coop to let my Chickens out to free range. That's when I saw it The BIG BLACK BUZZARD! I know buzzards are fate to eating dead animals, but will it possibly kill my chickens? I saw it limp run after a little robin, so I just wondered. I want my chickens to free range today, but I want my Chickens to be safe, so I am not letting them out until I get the facts I need. I would post a picture, but my camera does not take a good picture. I need to know information about this possible Buzzard. I don't really know if it even is a buzzard. This Big Black bird is close to 2 feet tall or more it's HUGE! Physical Dec, Black with a few white feathers under wing, crooked neck. No feathers on head grey head. Will my chickens be safe to free range? All Information is accepted! Thanks! - Possible Vulture?

If they can't find something dead to eat, a black vulture will attack live animals. If there is a wildlife rescue in your area they would probably come and get it. I had an issue with an owl and a wildlife rescue came and took it. They have release areas. We have plenty of them around here.

 

[MeowthLover_ThatsRight]

I could go rambo and shoot it, but they are protected in Gerogia so I can't.

Dont shoot it anyway!!

 

[DaisyBuff]

Dont shoot it anyway!!

Of course not. Every animal is a sweet life that needs to live all it's days.

 

[ColtHandorf]

It never fails to surprise how many people run into these threads half-cocked with literal, illegal advice or with nothing beneficial to contribute.

As some people stated above:

1. Do not shoot any native birds. They are all federally protected in most cases. Lord you aren't even suppose to collect or keep songbird nests. Do not shoot hawks, eagles, buzzards, etc.. If you wouldn't want to go to jail for shooting a Whooping Crane, don't go to jail for shooting something just because it is predatory. Don't like it, keep your birds in a secure pen that aerial predators can't take them from.
2. With any injured wildlife, contact a wildlife rehabilitation center. If you're on BYC, you're on a phone or computer with internet access. Use it.
3. For the bajillionth time, it is well documented that Black Vultures will take newborn livestock. There are too many accounts of it happening. I've never personally seen it, but I know I helped a neighbors cow keep them off her calf after giving birth on our shared fence line. The birds were harassing her. It is also well documented that Black Vultures prey on newly hatched sea turtles during the arribada. Turkey Vultures do not exhibit this behavior.

All that being said, I have Black Vultures that nest on and near my property. They have never bothered the birds directly, although they object mightily to them sunning on the roof of the barn.

I'm glad you didn't experience any issues from the injured bird and I'm sorry it passed away before you were able to help it.