(by Zoe Dawson)
This year, September 6 is International Vulture Awareness Day! Learn more about these birds:
Two species of vultures can be observed in New Hampshire: Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures. Black Vultures are considered a rare sight in the state and have not been confirmed breeding here. Turkey Vultures were first recorded nesting in NH in 1979 and can be found statewide, but are uncommon to see from November to March. At the McLane Center in Concord, however, you can see our young ambassador Turkey Vulture year-round!
This bird is an important education ambassador for NH Audubon to help teach people about the natural world. While these creatures have an unfair reputation, they play a critical role in the ecosystem by cleaning up carrion. Turkey Vultures have an incredible sense of smell, rare among birds (even their relatives, the Black Vultures, do not possess this trait). They can detect a rotting carcass hidden from view and travel long distances by following scents on the wind. This important scavenging helps mitigate the spread of disease for humans and other animals!