2008 Rescue & Release

This little black vulture was entered into rehabilitation when he was approximately 1 week old. He was found by a local homeowner who mistakenly believed he had fallen from his nest. Since vultures nest on the ground, MWR´s first attempt was to locate the nest to return the baby. Unfortunately, it couldn´t be found so he had to be entered into rehabilitation.

The top photo on the left is of the little vulture at 1 week old when he was admitted into rehabilitation. Photos below show him (or her, it is impossible to tell) at one month of age. Note the beginnings of real feathers in the last photo.

Vultures are extremely easy to imprint on humans and/or tame, so extra precautions must be taken during rehabilitation. They live in social groups and love to gather together playing, hunting and general fussing about.

The little vulture has an excellent chance at a normal life in the wild if he learns to socialize with other vultures but not humans. To prevent imprinting, MWR volunteers wear gloves, a mask or hood and paper medical gown. They must not talk to him or around him. It is imperative that he not relate human voices, smell or touch to food or care. He has a mirror in his cage so he can see what another vulture looks like, plus it gives him some "company". He also has a stuffed toy bird for snuggling. His cage is kept mostly covered.

His rehabilitation diet consists of "minced mouse", which mimics the type and consistency he would have when his mother regurgitated food for him. It is not identical, but is the best that we humans can provide. As he grows, more food types are added to his diet and he will be taught to hunt.

Note that vultures do not kill and eat live animals, so they will not hurt your pets or children. Vultures eat only carrion - preferring fresh meat rather than spoiled, and preferring the meat of herbivores over that of carnivores.

Some people may believe vultures to be evil, dirty or dangerous. None of this is true! On the contrary, they are gentle and totally non-aggressive. They are friendly, group-oriented creatures with an active extended family system. They share their meals and alert other family members when carrion is available.

This little vulture is an important part of the Mississippi ecosystem as well as a Federally and Internationally protected species. There are three types of American vultures: turkey, black and the California condor. The California condor is nearly extinct with only about 60 remaining and an active breeding program that has yielded little success. Although migratory, turkey and black vultures are indigenous to North Mississippi all year.

Vultures nest in the spring — possibly in your backyard. Should you come across a baby vulture on the ground, do not jump to conclusions. American vultures DO NOT nest in trees. They lay their eggs on the ground, in caves, hollow logs or other cave-like structures. Sometimes the nest (which doesn´t appear nest-like at all) will be a simple dip, scratched into the ground, seemingly out in the open. Many hikers who happen upon such a nest believe that they have discovered a hawk that has fallen from its nest. If you see any evidence of nesting activity, you have probably stumbled on a nestling waiting for his parents to return with food. The best clue that you have discovered a nest is the presence of multiple babies. Please leave them be, unless one or more appear visibly injured.

For more information on American vultures, please see the Turkey Vulture Society´s web site. They have a wealth of information about these wonderful, sociable - and grossly misunderstood - birds.