What Bird of Prey is this?

[Sharonea1959]

It looks like a vulture to me, with the way it is flying and the wind position

 

[Sharonea1959]

Interesting fact: if you come across a turkey vulture on the ground do not approach it. They have a very nasty self defense mechanism. They projectile vomit at you

Yep my brother found out the hard way, it acts like it contains acid

 

[hmarg06]

I agree with others. Vulture, or here in TX referred to as a buzzard. Scavenger: not a bird of prey.

They are actually still a Bird of Prey, or Raptor. But you are correct, they are scavengers, and don't typically pose any danger to our birds. It would be pretty uncommon for them to go after something living. They don't have the same specialized feet as other raptors for killing. Their feet are much smaller, and not as strong as hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, etc.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Yep my brother found out the hard way, it acts like it contains acid

I just found this out a few days ago. I read it in a magazine though. It probably has bile from their gizzard which is the acid. If they're stomachs are anything like ours it is hydrocholoric acid. Is your brother ok? How close was he before it upchucked on him?

 

[dunni003]

With many of our crow-friends gone for the winter, my ducks are spotting airborne dangers more frequently now. On Saturday a large bird of prey was circling over us, caught it on video when it came lower and sat up shop in a tree:

Anybody an idea what kind of predator this is? - And is it a particular danger to my ducks?
Thank you very much in advance for your help.

Almost certainly a vulture. They soar with a slight V shape and wobble back and forth while soaring. They will occasionally take a live animal.

 

[Dru0308]

It flies like a vulture. I've never had one attack our chickens, but I have seen them go for the afterbirth when a calf is born. Needless to say, when there are newborn calves I watch the buzzards like a hawk!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Buzzards don't like ducks. They are looking for the real kill , Some good ol roadkill possum or an armadillo. Now that's top of the line dining for a buzzard.

There's plenty of road-kill around here, 'coons and deer are being hit by cars all the time on our small and winding roads. So enough food for the vultures to stay away from the Duckies.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Interesting fact: if you come across a turkey vulture on the ground do not approach it. They have a very nasty self defense mechanism. They projectile vomit at you

That sounds outright nasty!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Yep my brother found out the hard way, it acts like it contains acid

Ouch! - I hope your brother is ok? So wearing protective clothing and gargles before approaching a turkey-vulture!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

That sounds outright nasty!

They are very nasty birds. They're nature's hazmat crew. They defecate on their feet and their stomach acid has a ph of 0. Their poop keeps bacteria from growing because its so acidic