What is this? Should I be concerned?

[Sunny Side Up]

Looks like a vulture or buzzard to me too. They're nature's garbage collectors. Perhaps you can get some books to help you identify your local birds & wildlife so you don't shoot the wrong things.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
It PROBABLY had dibs on that deer leg where your dog TOOK it from, and wanted it back.

I used to worry about the really big crows around here, until I saw two of them harass a red-tailed hawk that had seen my chickens and was sitting on a post some distance away, just watching my yard. Suddenly, SWOOP, those two crows went straight for it, and it decided to move on.

 

[rcentner]

well, I have learned that the more things that you shoot to protect your animals, the more move in. There is a lady I know that has trapped/shot somewhere in the region of 10 fox and guess what? she still has a fox problem. I have had to make arrangements to protect my chickens from all possible predators and learned that a fenced chicken is better than a dead one. So since this is the case, I will sit back and enjoy the wildlife that my chickens bring in and only shoot the ones that manage to break into my high security coop/run area. (which I would be really surprised if that ever happens, unless a bear breaks the fence somehow). So no need for shooting lectures here, I have come to terms with the fact that free range here is not happenin.

 

[rcentner]

Quote:
It PROBABLY had dibs on that deer leg where your dog TOOK it from, and wanted it back.

I used to worry about the really big crows around here, until I saw two of them harass a red-tailed hawk that had seen my chickens and was sitting on a post some distance away, just watching my yard. Suddenly, SWOOP, those two crows went straight for it, and it decided to move on.

the crows do a nice job around here too, they make alert noises for all the prey it seems.
I am sure that bird saw the deer leg 1st!

 

[Mervin]

The red head on a Turkey Buzzards/Vultures can vary in intensity quite a bit. I have quite a few around my house and they don't seem to be very brightly colored. We also have Bald Eagles and Osprey in the area, so every time a youngster sees a big bird soaring around they immediately think eagle. A few nights ago there were several buzzards circling something during my sons Teeball game and I tried to explain to them that they were buzzards. After about five minutes of that, it's easier to let them think that they're eagles.

 

[noodleroo]

Buzzard, I'm pretty sure...

 

[fancbrd4me02]

Vulture - harmless to livestock. Very beneficial for enviorment.

 

[JasperCountyNative]

Quote:
Not always harmless to livestock.

They are opportunists and they will take advantage of newborn calves and pigs.

 

[FowlFriend]

I also vote Turkey Vulture. We have a ton of them here.

 

[RAWR]

something big, could kill some chickens, and would look nice on the table