There are two different types of vultures found in Massachusetts, the Black Vulture and the one pictured below, the Turkey Vulture. They are not birds of prey and don't have the large and powerful talons to kill prey like eagles and hawks, rather they're scavengers that feed exclusively on carrion; road kill and such, and they are a vital part of nature’s clean-up crew.
And that is precisely what one of these not so attractive visitors was doing in my yard the other afternoon. The second one made a feeble attempt at trying to steal a meal but was chased off.
I believe the main entrée was that afternoon was grey squirrel; one that failed to look both ways before crossing busy Lincoln Street and paid the ultimate price, thus becoming a carrion meal.
Again, not the most attractive bird -
A second vulture flew in looking for some vitals -
Mmm, this rubbery squirrel is to dye for 🤢 -
Ironically, or perhaps not, but shortly after watching these birds jostle in the front yard, the below carcass magically appeared on my back deck, YUK!
Now, I don't believe the vultures were dining on this particular squirrel because from what I witnessed, their lunch was fresher looking. This carcass was much more mummified but suffice to say, it didn't climb up my 15 or so deck stairs. Clearly, some thing dropped this item from above. Trixie was extremely interested in it and spent a bit of time smelling and checking it out.
Kinda reminds me of Sid from the movie Ice Age...
Perhaps, this was a flying squirrel 🤣!!
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