By Larry Halverson/Friends of Kootenay

As the temperature begins to rise look up and you may spot a Turkey Vulture soaring overhead.

These birds arrive back in the Columbia Valley in April using thermals to move through the air with very little wing flapping. They are rarely seen on the ground except when feeding on a carcass. Vultures are one of the few birds that are able to use their sense of smell to locate food. They fly low enough to detect the gases produced from decaying dead animals.
So if you see a Turkey Vulture soaring over head, don’t lie still too long, especially if you haven’t showered lately!
Above photo: A Turkey Vulture’s wings span up to two meters – photographed April 7, 2012 by Larry Halverson.

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