Do Turkey Buzzards Eat Live Animals?

Turkey buzzards, also known as turkey vultures, are a common sight in many parts of North America These large, dark birds are known for their impressive wingspans and distinctive red heads. As scavengers, turkey vultures play an important role in the ecosystem by cleaning up carrion But do turkey buzzards only eat dead animals or do they sometimes go after live prey as well?

The Turkey Vulture Diet is Mainly Carrion

The primary food source for turkey vultures is carrion or the decaying flesh of dead animals. Using their keen eyesight and sense of smell, turkey buzzards can detect the gases produced by decomposition from impressive distances. Once a carcass is located, the vulture uses its bald head to reach deep inside bodies and feed.

Turkey vultures prefer fresh carrion but will eat decaying flesh in any condition. The strong stomach acid of buzzards allows them to feed on carcasses infected with botulism, anthrax and other bacteria that would sicken or kill most other animals. Turkey vultures have even been known to crack open tortoise shells to access the meat inside.

Throughout most of their range, mammal carcasses including deer, cattle, pigs and sheep make up the bulk of the turkey vulture diet But they will also eat dead reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates Turkey buzzards are true opportunistic scavengers, consuming any dead animal matter they encounter.

Turkey Vultures Occasionally Attack Live Prey

While turkey vultures eat chiefly carrion, they have been documented attacking and eating live animals on rare occasions. Usually young, weak or already injured animals are targeted. There are credible reports of turkey vultures killing and eating newborn livestock such as pigs, goats and sheep left unattended by their mothers. Turkey buzzards have also been known to prey on rodents and reptiles.

Most attacks involve a group of vultures descending on vulnerable prey in a frenzied feeding. It is likely easier for vultures to isolate and overtake living creatures working as a flock. Their sharp beaks can easily dispatch small animals. There is less evidence of turkey vultures killing larger, healthy prey. They likely stick to carrion to avoid injury from defensive animals.

So while turkey buzzards are not habitual predators, they are opportunistic and will attack easy living targets when available. But these incidents seem to be the exception and not the rule.

Why Turkey Vultures Sometimes Attack Live Animals

There are several explanations for why turkey vultures occasionally go after living creatures despite preferring carrion:

• Young vultures may attack live prey through inexperience. As juvenile birds learn to find food on their own, they may impulsively target living animals before understanding their feeding preferences.

• Limited carrion availability may lead to live prey. During periods when carcasses are scarce such as winter, turkey vultures may be driven to kill fresh meat.

• Injured, sick or helpless animals make for easy targets. Immobile prey likely trigger the vulture’s predatory instincts even if the creatures are still alive.

• Turkey vultures may harass or attack animals already near death. Vultures are patient and may closely follow weak, vulnerable animals waiting for them to perish.

• Hunting in groups makes overtaking live prey easier. More vultures make it simpler to isolate and attack living targets.

So while turkey vultures are adapted for scavenging, they remain opportunistic birds willing to seek out fresh meat in dire circumstances. Their preferences simply lean heavily toward carrion.

Small Pets Are at Risk of Vulture Attack

The most credible reports of turkey vultures attacking living prey involve vulnerable species like newborn livestock. Small dogs and cats likely face a similar risk of becoming vulture prey if left unattended.

Pets under 25 pounds could potentially be attacked by turkey buzzards if exposed. Cats allowed to roam free outside and tiny dog breeds would be most vulnerable. Attack risk likely rises if pets are very young, ill or injured. Vultures may also be emboldened to strike pets if hungry from a lack of carrion availability.

To keep small pets safe, supervise them during outside time. Uneaten pet food left outdoors may also attract vultures and increase confrontation chances. Turkey vultures are usually not aggressive toward humans, but pets left alone outside are in danger of attack.

Preventing Vulture Attacks on Livestock

While rare, turkey vulture attacks on newborn livestock and poultry can be a concern for some farmers. Since the birds target vulnerable young animals, extra precautions should be taken during birthing seasons.

To protect livestock from vultures:

• Keep pregnant animals separate from the flock as they near birth
• Monitor birthing areas for circling vultures
• Remove placentas immediately after birth
• Supervise young during the first few weeks of life
• Use loud noises and scare tactics to frighten loitering vultures
• Confine vulnerable animals to barns if vulture attacks occur

Properly supervising and sheltering newborn livestock helps limit any potential turkey vulture attacks. Removing afterbirth and isolation during birthing protects the most susceptible animals.

The Bottom Line: Vultures Strongly Favor Carcasses

While turkey vultures retain their predatory instincts and can attack vulnerable living prey, they are still primarily scavengers. The bulk of their diet comes from carrion. Reports of vultures killing healthy, mobile animals are very rare.

But pets and newborn livestock left unattended outside are at some risk of becoming vulture prey. Supervision, shelters and deterrents can help keep vulnerable animals protected. By understanding turkey vulture behavior, their threat to livestock and pets can be minimized through smart precautions.

So while turkey buzzards occasionally eat living creatures, they vastly prefer carrion. These elemental scavengers help keep the countryside tidy by consuming animal remains that could otherwise spread disease. Appreciating the ecological benefits of vultures while keeping vulnerable pets and farm animals protected lets us coexist with these bald-headed scavengers.