As we’re coming out of the Halloween season, one eerie thought to keep in the back of your head is black vultures are invading West Virginia. A federal biologist in Buckhannon, WV says these birds first started appearing here 15 years ago, and now they’re all over the state.
These birds were originally from Central and South America about 45 years ago. Since then, there has been a casual trend to the north for them. They have also multiplied in the last 10 to 20 years, making their presence in North America more of a problem. They usually eat dead animals, but increased numbers in the area have made flocks more desperate for food – even if it’s alive. The vultures are predatory creatures, which means they eat meat to keep surviving.
As far as the effect on West Virginia, the accumulations of feces, as well as vulture roosting and soaring behaviors, create health and safety concerns for the residents in the community. Additionally, concentrated vulture populations can be hazardous to aircraft, especially when close to airport flight paths, because of the birds’ significant size characteristic soaring behavior. This increases their chances of being struck by low-flying aircraft.
In-flight, black vultures flap their wings more and then hold them in a horizontal position. They measure 23 to 27 inches tall, with a wingspread upward of 5 feet and weigh around 3.5 to 5 pounds, according to the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry. Being super lightweight makes the birds quick. Imagine a 5-foot wingspan zipping through your neighborhood; it’s absolutely terrifying.
Large groups of vultures have been known to cause damage to property, as well. They like to rip apart anything they get ahold of. These beats have destroyed vent seals, roof shingles, and pool covers. They can damage vehicles by scratching paint, removing wipers, and ripping vinyl seat covers from boats and tractors. Vultures have also attacked the living. In southern Indiana, a farmer has constant trouble with vultures eating his baby calves alive. He claims that there will be hundreds just waiting on the farm for their meal. In the U.K., there’s been cases of human babies being attacked by vultures as well.
The biggest concern for West Virginia residents is that they can’t do anything to stop these menaces. Vultures are migratory birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, State laws, and regulations. They are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and State wildlife agencies. The birds, their nests, and eggs cannot be killed or destroyed without a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit. So, even if these vultures were causing problems for a small farmer in W.V., the farmer couldn’t do anything about it.
Almost Heaven, Almost Hell 