District of Columbia
Related: About this forumVulture eating a dead rat on top of a streetlight
So Many Vultures around Town!
Prince Of Petworth March 30, 2020 at 3:30pm
Thanks to all whove messaged us. Jamie writes: A vulture just swooped down on 19th St, killed a rat, and is eating it on top of a streetlight
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Some repliers have pointed out that they dine on animals that are already dead. That's what I was thinking too. I hadn't considered that the rat had been poisoned. I didn't check the comments at PoPville to see if anyone there had made that observation.
Walleye
(31,025 posts)Renew Deal
(81,859 posts)Docreed2003
(16,860 posts)But I've heard they only come out in December, lol.
CaptainTruth
(6,592 posts)Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)They look so beautiful when theyre way up in the sky.
On the the ground, not so much.
Cattledog
(5,914 posts)Turkey vultures feed exclusively on dead animals. That rat was most likely poisoned. I once had a Red Tailed Hawk lying dead on my patio. Adult, not a mark on it. Looked healthy but dead as a doornail from eating a poisoned rodent.
safeinOhio
(32,683 posts)Raptors years ago. Mostly hawks and owls.
aaaaaa5a
(4,667 posts)They are scavengers. The rat was likely already dead when the vulture found it. Vultures are magnificent creatures. Their work helps to keep the environment clean and ironically limits the spread of disease.
A vultures immune system is amazingly powerful. Its almost impossible for a vulture to get sick.
Most vultures in the USA are Turkey Vultures or Black-Headed Vultures.
Cool picture.
3Hotdogs
(12,382 posts)not of his own desire.
IronLionZion
(45,446 posts)They're getting very bold during this lockdown since they're getting less restaurant food. Maybe we should tell Mayor Bowser that rats spread coronavirus and rat extermination should be an essential service. Now's a great time to get as many of them as possible.
marble falls
(57,093 posts)around - somethings that's been a lot more common since Trump got elected. Not suggesting a connection - just time lining it.
CaptainTruth
(6,592 posts)...waiting for fish bits to drop.
Smart kitties get fresh-caught fish!