Re: GRASPING IN BIRDS OF PREY

["Tim Williams" <tijawi@hotmail.com>]

Yesterday I wrote:

> > Vulturids are uncharacteristic of birds in having an excellent sense of 
> > smell.

Actually, this is a damned lie on my part.  This is not true for all 
vulturids.  In fact, among vulturids only members of the genus _Cathartes_ - 
the turkey vulture and the two species of yellow-headed vultures - are 
reported to have an excellent sense of smell; the condors and other 
vulturids do not.

Ironically, although turkey vultures are among the first airborne scavengers 
to detect carrion on the ground, it is often the case that they can't do 
very much with it.  Turkey vultures and black vultures lack the equipment 
for tearing open the hides of mammals, and have to wait for the king 
vultures and condors (with their stronger beak and feet) to feast.  However, 
before the carcass is opened up, black vultures have been seen sticking 
their heads and necks down the throat and up the anus of dead mammals to 
grab the entrails within.

I once came face to face with an injured turkey vulture, here in Iowa.  I 
think I learnt more about theropods in those few minutes than watching all 
three _Jurassic Park_ movies.



Tim

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp