Vultures
I missed it this year, firstly because I was so enveloped in Skuntank Day, and second because this is the first I've heard it occurring on the first Sunday of the week and not always September 3 like I thought.
[link](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58253/11-facts-about-bone-eating-bearded-vulture)
Text from https://justbirding.com/what-birds-mate-for-life/ Black Vulture Latin name: Coragyps atratus Unique romantic feature: Fight for fidelity Where they are found: From the southeastern USA to South America Size: Length: 22 to 29 inches (56 to 74 cm); Weight: 2.6 to 4.3 pounds (1.18 to 1.95 kg): Wingspan: 4.4 to 5.5 feet (1.34 to 1.68 m) Diet: Carrion ~~Black vultures prove you don’t have to be beautiful to enjoy a committed, long-term relationship.~~ Um, rude. Looking dressed more for a funeral than a wedding, these scavenger birds feature all-black plumage with bumpy, featherless grayish-black heads, and short, hooked beaks. Found in open habitats and along roads from the southeastern United States to South America, black vultures are all about family life. They form bonds that last their whole lives (about 10 years).
photo by Kevan Cooke on [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevan_cooke/)
image's original link broken/can't find photographer's name
[link to seller](https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Photography-I-Yearn-for-the-Wild-Limited-Edition-of-10/969753/6880445/view)
[link](https://www.animalwised.com/what-is-a-griffon-vulture-main-traits-and-fun-facts-1092.html)
My favorite for sentimental reasons. I grew up in an area where you might spot one if you were very lucky. It was rare, but cool.
I can't find the image source to confirm, but looks right.
[link to eBird](https://ebird.org/species/andcon1/) >Huge, wide-ranging vulture of the Andes, but also ranges into lowlands in southern Chile and Tierra del Fuego. Locally fairly common in Chile and adjacent Argentina, less numerous northward. Mainly seen as singles or pairs, sailing high over ridges, but tens can gather at roosts and to scavenge at carcasses. Size alone is diagnostic, but can be difficult to judge at a distance: note very long “fingers” at wingtips and white collar of adult. Adult also has diagnostic big white panels on upperwing, visible as birds bank. Immatures dark overall, becoming like adult in about 5 years.
[link](https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanshapiro/14093366071/in/datetaken/)
I watched people walk by the 6 ft tall Nutcracker and groan. Funny. I saw other people walk by the Halloween display smiling and taking pics. Good to know priorities are in place.
Sebastian Kennerknecht [link to photographer's page](https://www.pumapix.com/tag/california-birdlife/)
Paul Doran's [Flickr link](https://www.flickr.com/photos/blut00/9648598672)
[Photographer's Flickr link](https://www.flickr.com/photos/42136435@N05/5160525385/)
[link to original post](https://lemmy.world/post/1426940)
I like Mandibuzz a lot - it wears bones as clothing.
The policeman parked a little too close to the edge. I didn't notice on the first watch, but the comments were full of anxiety.
[link](https://imgur.com/gallery/vsJfbuP)
>Gobelinus Regius Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) -- known for taking live animals (including hares, ibex, and goats) and dropping their prey onto rocks as a killing method. __________ Also known as the bone breaker or bone cracker. __________ [Interesting video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP2qgnhjNi4) Some of the script is crap, but it does have some good stuff, like the fact that the bearded vulture wears makeup.
I found a wonderful photography page dedicated to turkey vultures. [Photography and page by Ron Dudley](https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2020/04/09/yesterday-was-a-turkey-vulture-kind-of-day/)
[source](https://www.flickr.com/photos/erichaas/)
[source](https://justbirding.com/what-birds-mate-for-life/)
This postcard was sold in a museum I often visited as a kid. I always stopped by the gift shop on the way out to look at it. I revisited the gift shop as an adult and bought myself a copy.  (Not me holding the postcard) Looks like the Clash also used it for an album cover. 
I like how the Egyptian vulture and the Turkey vulture look. The former has an Elegant look to it and the Turkey vulture looks menacing and foreboding. The Californian condor has a nice wrinkled fat man look to it too. Which vulture do you believe is the coolest looking?