Turkey Vultures
The turkey vulture is not one of the more glamorous looking birds around. They have an appearance that generally only a mother could love. As their name suggests, the shape of their body and head is similar to a turkey. The head of a turkey vulture is featherless and red, so they can easily consume their primary food source: carrion. Dark feathers cover the body. Turkey vultures are common along roadsides, fields, landfills, trash piles, and construction sites, all places where they can easily scavenge for carrion and other food sources. In the evening, these birds will group together and roost in trees or on the roofs of buildings in groups of 50 or more.
Having these unsightly birds on your commercial building or soaring around your property is problematic and can be unsettling for customers and employees. Their droppings are extremely acidic and will cause the paint to peel off buildings and cars parked below their roosting sites. Having turkey vultures roosting on your facility will damage electrical equipment and the structure of your buildings. These birds also sometimes pull the weatherstripping away from windows and shingles off roofs.
Health and Safety Issues
While turkey vultures play a critical ecological role in cleaning up carcasses and reducing the spread of disease, their behavior and presence can sometimes pose health and safety concerns for humans, animals, and property. Below are the main health and safety issues associated with turkey vultures:
Health Risks
- Disease Transmission:
- Turkey vultures primarily feed on decaying animal carcasses, which can harbor bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. While their strong stomach acids protect them from these diseases, their droppings can carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.
- Large congregations of vultures can lead to an accumulation of feces in roosting areas, potentially contaminating soil, water sources, and surfaces.
- Parasite Concerns:
- Vultures can be infested with external parasites like mites, ticks, and lice, which may spread to nearby areas or animals.
- Foul Odors:
- Turkey vultures can regurgitate partially digested food as a defense mechanism. This vomit has a strong, unpleasant odor and can attract other pests.
Safety Concerns
- Aircraft Hazards:
- Turkey vultures are large birds, with wingspans up to 6 feet. Their size and flight patterns make them a significant hazard near airports, where bird strikes can endanger aircraft and passengers.
- Damage to Property:
- Vultures have been known to cause property damage, particularly on rooftops. Their sharp beaks can tear at shingles, rubber roofing, and caulking. They also perch on vehicles, leaving scratch marks and feces.
- Behavioral Aggression:
- While generally not aggressive toward humans, turkey vultures may exhibit defensive behaviors, such as vomiting, if threatened. This behavior can be startling and unpleasant.
Partnering with Bird Solutions is the best solution to your Florida commercial facility’s turkey vulture problems. Turkey vultures are federally protected migratory birds, so partnering with a professional bird control company is essential when managing them.
In conjunction with our professional services, the following tips will help make your commercial property less attractive to turkey vultures:
- Keep tight-fitting lids on trash cans and dumpsters located on your property.
- Keep grill areas free of food and grease.
- Keep an eye out for carrion on your property and immediately have it removed