Birds

Kerry Brinkerhoff
Staff Writer

You look to the sky and see one or a group of large magnificent flying black birds rocking slightly from side to side and holding their two-toned wings in a V: silvery gray on the flight feathers, inside lining feathers are black. If you get the chance to see one more closely you see the bare red head with a white beak. This is the Turkey Vulture, common to our area. They have an incredible ability to find dead animals; scientists believe they use sight and smell to find their next meal. Turkey vultures play a very important role eating the flesh of dead animals. In this way the carcasses are cleaned up, taking away the danger of spreading infection to other animals or humans. If you would like to view a turkey vulture, they like to roust locally in the tall trees at the corner of 13000 West and 8000 North on Highway 102 in Penrose (15 miles east of Golden Spike) early morning and evenings. When you go to see the birds please be respectful of the bird, the local residents and the highway. They are seen occasionally at Golden Spike National Historic Site.

The Leader - July 12, 2000