The Turkey Vulture soars above the ground for most of the day, searching for food with its excellent eyesight and highly developed sense of smell. They probably wouldn't even eat a dead dog or cat that's in the road. Their bald heads (truly bald, not “bald eagle” bald) are quite small in comparison to the rest of their bodies. If you’ve gone looking for raptors on a clear day, your heart has probably leaped at the sight of a large, soaring bird in the distance– perhaps an eagle or osprey. They prefer to eat herbivores, not carnivores or omnivores—in other words, they eat animals that eat plants, not meat. That buzzard swooped right over my head and had his talons outstretched. Because of the nature of their diets and digestive system, vulture poop is actually a sanitizer. Are they a threat to my animals? There are two American black vultures that live near my house and hang around in the yard sometimes. I have seen an eagle swoop down and take away a cat with its claws. "The Turkey Vulture, contrary to popular belief, does not feed strictly on carrion. Can turkey-vultures pick up small dogs? Their bald heads (truly bald, not “bald eagle” bald) are quite small in comparison to the rest of their bodies. I am concerned that they will try to take her off or attack her. My pugs are defending their territory with fierce barks, but I'm afraid that'll only incite the birds even further. Should I be worried? It was injured, and sick and not acting like a typical vulture. Can a black vulture injure or kill dogs and cats?? Vultures have a very keen sense of smell and feed mainly on animal carcasses, but will also eat small prey such as rodents, insects, lizards and smaller birds. Amazing! I would be a hundred times more worried about a coyote or even a bobcat or raccoon. The birds have become a problem for many Ohio livestock producers in recent years, said Stan Smith, an Ohio State University Extension program assistant in agriculture and natural resources. If the vulture is still hanging around, I would keep the dog inside to see if the bird moves on, if not, you may have to deal with it. Turkey vultures are scavengers, carrion eaters. Should I be worried about diseases or bacteria from their poop? It does happen. It was a turkey buzzard in one of the trees out back. These migratory birds are known to attack and eat live animals, too. With a wingspan up to six feet across, it’s no wonder their head looks small! In a photo that seems to be making the rounds on Facebook again, after being taken in late 2014, the dog is seen cowering inside a plastic house in Greensboro, North Carolina. Tricia Bradbury named the big black loiterer "Buzz." Turkey vultures prefer herbivores (vegetarians) over carnivores (meat eaters) or omnivores (eats anything). I have 4 cats, 1 large dog, and 3 small dogs. Will the vultures bother her? I have 4 cats, 1 large dog, and 3 small dogs. There are two American black vultures that live near my house and hang around in the yard sometimes. Pictures of Turkey Vultures, Birds in the Wild. They prefer their food already dead rather than having to go to the trouble of dispatching it themselves. Black vultures do attack baby seals but they are more aggressive. Long, UK’s Jefferson County extension agent, said small pets like cats and dogs may be at risk of attack just by nature of being small animals. This bird enjoys plant matter as well, including shoreline vegetation, pumpkin, and bits of other crops. Special federal permits, which cost $100 each, are required before a person can kill a vulture, and the permits must be renewed each year. Like many vultures, this species lacks feathers on their heads. Can a black vulture injure or kill dogs and cats?? But if it's soaring with its wings raised in a V and making wobbly circles, it's likely a Turkey Vulture. These birds ride thermals in the sky and use their keen sense of smell to find fresh carcasses. Our German shepherd was just raising a fit so I went to see what he was upset with. Generally, turkey vultures do not kill. Description of the Turkey Vulture. No, the vultures are not at all interested in moving animals. It turns out that our American turkey vultures aren't interested in our pets at all—or in our kids, either, for that matter. Vultures are roosting on my deck. One of three species in the genus Cathartes of the family Cathartidae, the turkey vulture ranges from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. Sam was outside with me while I was putting cages on the tomato plants. I had a turkey vulture try and attack my car three times! The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), also known in some North American regions as the turkey buzzard (or just buzzard), and in some areas of the Caribbean as the John crow or carrion crow, is the most widespread of the New World vultures. Kentucky black vulture attacks: How to keep your pets and farm animals safe. My pugs are defending their territory with fierce barks, but I'm afraid that'll only incite the birds even further. I have a small dog. If you're worried about vulture attacks, here's what you can do without a permit to protect your kittens and dogs Their stomachs contain digestive acids that kill virtually all bacteria and viruses, and there is even evidence for the claim that… Are they a threat to my animals? Turkey vultures are not nearly as dangerous as an eagle or even a hawk though. He hit my little dog sending him rolling across the grass.