04.17.07
Turkey Vultures And Soaring Spirits
I made a trip to Iowa this past weekend and visited the Ledges State Park. The most notable feature of this outing was the ubiquitous presence of Turkey Vultures. This was probably due to hills which provide updrafts for these huge birds to soar on. I was reminded just what an inspiration soaring birds are, Turkey Vultures in particular.
Facts
Turkey Vultures probably got their name due to their red head which resembles that of a Turkey. The red is from their skin, the head being naked. This is likely an adaptation due to the fact that they stick their heads in animal carcasses which they feed on. The fact that they dead things turns some people off but this is a good thing if you think about it. Nature needs a cleaning crew. It also doesn’t detract from the beauty of their flight.
Turkey Vultures can be seen, commonly, in the state of Nebraska from March through October.
Their most common mode of flight is soaring, flying without flapping their wings. They do this by holding their wings out and allowing updrafts to lift them. Updrafts are caused when moving air hits structure like hills, trees, buildings, etc. They are also caused by rising heat from earth warmed by the sun.
This effortless flight allows the Vulture to conserve energy that flapping wings would quickly use up. This is useful when meals are often far and few between.
Turkey Vultures have the most aerodynamically efficient wings of all birds, achieving the greatest amount of lift from updrafts.
The wing span of a Turkey Vulture is 6 feet, making it almost as large as an Eagle. It can be easily identified in flight because it holds it’s wings in a V-Shape. For a better picture go here and here.
Turkey Vultures are one of the few birds that have a sense of smell, useful in finding it’s food.
Why Should We Care?
It’s hard for me not to be mesmerized by soaring flight. Nature provides us a way to get out of our ego-self and connect outward, greatly improving our sense of well-being. Birds that soar, at least for me, seem to become a vehicle for my own spirit to soar on.
Turkey Vultures in particular make flight look so effortless. In heavy winds they rock back and forth, going with the flow, rather than fighting it. In Colorado I once saw a Vulture flying near the top of a mountain. The wind was so strong it was spun upside down. It simply allowed itself to complete the circle and right itself again. I think there is lesson in this.
The next time you are driving a highway watch for these birds (OK, if you are the driver, for safety sake, don’t look). If you are anywhere out in the country, especially near hills, you are likely to see them.
Spend a few minutes watching their flight and see if you aren’t changed in some way.
May your spirit soar…
