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Scavenger Hunt

Dark and ominous images probably come to your mind when you think about vultures. If you haven't seen these birds of prey in the wild, you most likely remember some Hollywood movie where they are shown circling over the land as a looming indication that death is nearby. However, vultures are not killers that prey on vulnerable creatures below, but instead, they eat carrion (or animals that are already dead). While the notion of eating stinking, rotten meat might seem repulsive, without vultures, these carcasses would decay slowly and spread all kinds of diseases. (Incidentally, the scientific name cathartes comes from a Greek word which means "cleanser".)

God designed this remarkable bird with an extremely hardy digestive tract containing powerful acids that kill the harmful bacteria found in dead animals. In fact, these digestive fluids can even break down large bones!

Vultures were also created with keen eyesight with the capability of spotting their prey while soaring from incredible heights. This is even mentioned in the Bible where it says, "there is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen" (Job 28:7; KJV).

One very practical design characteristic of the vulture is its bare head. The smooth surface allows this bird of prey to thrust its head into dead carcasses and come out relatively clean. The residual is then baked off as vultures typically perch in the sun after eating.

Vultures are one of two types of birds that actually have a sense of smell. (The other is the kiwi bird from New Zealand.) Unlike our nose which points down and is not intended to take in unfiltered air, the vulture's nose (called a nare) closely resembles a spoiler on a race car as wind funnels freely through this open cavity during flight.

As the molecular structures of the odor from dead animals reach the vultures' nares in the air, they begin to fly in wide circles above their targeted prey. The vultures work very efficiently as a group (called a "kettle"), methodically tightening the circle of flight and gradually reducing their altitude until they hone in on the carrion below.

"Buzz", Creatures of Creation's lesser yellow-headed vulture is in the New World (or American) family of vultures. The lesser yellow-headed vulture is similar to the greater yellow-headed vulture, but tends to be smaller and have a multi-colored head.

While vultures may have a dreadful reputation as birds of peril, God made them to serve a very unique purpose, cleaning up dead animals from our landscapes that would otherwise create serious health problems. These incredible birds of prey were designed to be nature's garbage disposals, and they do it quite well!

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