Vultures serve as the ultimate cleanup crew of the natural world. Although many people misunderstand them, these birds possess incredible biological adaptations that allow them to eat things that would kill any other animal. Furthermore, they play a crucial role in preventing the spread of disease in ecosystems. Consequently, their survival tactics are as fascinating as they are gross. Explore these intriguing details about nature's recyclers.
Vultures
Amazingly, vultures possess stomach acid that is stronger than battery acid. With a pH level close to zero, they can digest anthrax, botulism, and cholera without getting sick. Thus, they eliminate dangerous pathogens from the environment completely.
Strangely, these birds practice urohidrosis to cool down. This means they deliberately urinate on their own legs. As the liquid evaporates, it lowers their body temperature and kills bacteria on their feet.
Rüppell’s Griffon Vultures fly higher than any other bird. One individual collided with a commercial airplane at 37,000 feet. Therefore, they can soar at altitudes where humans would pass out from a lack of oxygen.
When threatened, vultures projectile vomit to defend themselves. This action lightens their body weight so they can take off quickly. Additionally, the foul-smelling substance distracts predators and stings their eyes.
The Bearded Vulture eats almost nothing but bones. Uniquely, this species drops large bones from high in the sky to shatter them on rocks below. Then, it swallows the sharp shards whole.
Turkey Vultures utilize an incredible sense of smell to find food. Unlike most birds, they can detect the scent of decaying meat from over a mile away. Conversely, Old World vultures rely entirely on their keen eyesight to spot carcasses.
Scientists originally thought their bald heads kept them clean while eating. However, recent studies suggest the bare skin actually helps them regulate their body temperature. They can rapidly lose or gain heat through their unfeathered necks.
A group of feeding vultures has a morbid name. Observers call a flock that is actively eating a carcass a “wake.” In contrast, people refer to a group resting in the trees as a “committee.”
Egyptian Vultures use tools to crack open ostrich eggs. Cleverly, they pick up smooth rocks with their beaks and throw them at the hard shells. This proves they possess a high level of problem-solving intelligence.
Interestingly, these birds lack a voice box. Because they have no syrinx, they cannot sing or call like other birds. Instead, they communicate with each other through hisses and grunts.
Gas companies once used them to find leaks in pipelines. Engineers added a chemical that smelled like rotting meat to the gas lines. Subsequently, turkey vultures would circle above the leaks, showing the repair crews exactly where to dig.
They often assume a “horaltic pose” in the morning. This means they stand with their wings spread wide open to the sun. This behavior dries their feathers and warms their muscles for flight.
The Andean Condor stands as one of the largest flying birds on Earth. Enormously, its wingspan stretches nearly 11 feet wide. Therefore, it relies heavily on thermal air currents to stay aloft without flapping.
New World vultures and Old World vultures are not closely related. Evolution drove two different lineages to develop the same traits to fill the same ecological niche. Scientists call this phenomenon convergent evolution.
Finally, many vulture species mate for life. Together, the parents take turns incubating the egg and feeding the chick. They share these duties equally to ensure their offspring survives.
