Red-headed vultures often get a bad rap from most people. Often associated with dark omens and disorder – a trait shared by most birds in the group – their importance to the ecosystem goes much deeper than one might imagine. Despite certain behaviors that may seem repulsive to us, the contribution these birds make to the planet is extremely important.

In charge of planetary cleaning

Red-headed vultures are among the species that perform one of the most crucial services for life on Earth. Their diet consists mainly of decaying animal carcasses. Thanks to their exceptional sense of smell, these birds are often the first to arrive at the site of a carcass.

However, their value goes beyond simple “cleaning.” Turkey vultures have extremely high stomach acidity. This enables them to consume virtually any type of material, even when the carcass contains toxins and pathogens such as anthrax, tuberculosis, and even rabies. Without these scavengers, we would be more susceptible to disease and pests, as well as an increase in road accidents caused by dead animals.

A striking example occurred in India, where the use of an anti-inflammatory drug for livestock led to a drastic reduction in the local vulture population. This resulted in an alarming increase in rabies cases in the country. The situation was so severe that India still faces a persistent crisis, with approximately 20,000 deaths annually attributed to the disease – a third of the global total. In addition, dealing with this health crisis entails costs exceeding $20 billion annually.

Without red-headed vultures, the American continent could also be subject to similar catastrophic effects.

Effective self-defense strategies

While red-headed vultures are vital to keeping the planet clean, some of their behaviors may be less appreciated. Found throughout most of the Americas, from southern Canada to South America, they are most commonly seen in warmer climates. To regulate their body temperature and also to remove bacteria, these birds often defecate on their feet.

Furthermore, in addition to consuming carcasses, they also consume animal feces. When they feel threatened, they resort to vomiting as a self-defense mechanism. Given their diet of carcasses, this mixture of partially digested meat and excrement, combined with the potency of stomach acid, is enough to deter most predators.

However, it is important to note that red-headed vultures do not pose a risk to humans. Although they can be seen in urban environments, they are most commonly found near roads, where roadkill is common, or in areas with low vegetation.