The ugly

[nabisho]

This young fellow got a hold of a poisened something and ended up on the ground starving. We got the poisen flushed out of him and after a couple weeks of good food he will be ready to out again. He's a young (bird of the year) Vulture and probably found a poisened rabbit or squirrel carcass. He's an ugly fellow but he is a good bird he doesn't give us any trouble like some of these we have had. Often they will throw up all over you as a defense mechanism, but not this fellow.

NAB :-)

[plamenh]

It looks strong and healthy now! How did you get the poison out of him Nab?

[MaryOfExeter]

Way to go! We need lots of these guys around. I was also wondering how you flushed him out?

[nabisho]

Just tube fed him electrolytes (water, sugar, sea salt & liquid vitamins) for two days until he got vertical again. He was so weak when he came in it wasn't very hard to hold him and get the tube down.

NAB :-)

[plamenh]

Thanks, I know that vulture do have strong digestive system but even that doesn't allways help.

[spirit wings]

I think he is a handsome bird. in his own bald way.

[Charis]

I think he's adorable.These are amazing birds to see close up and in person.
Audubon Society, here, has one name Ruby that is an education bird. She was orphaned as a baby, raised at the care center and very human identified. She is just fascinating.

[MaryOfExeter]

Ah. I bet he didn't enjoy the tube much but I'm sure he's thanking you now!
Another question, will he grow up to be a Turkey or a Black Vulture? I'd imagine both would look similar while they're still young.

[Lin Hansen]

Nab, great to see him looking so well.

Great save!

Linda

[mr squeaks]

AHA! Maybe that's why I'm wondering why his head isn't red...He's a BLACK Vulture???

I like these guys and agree with the saying: "beauty is in the eye of the beholder!"

WELL DONE!! I am just SO GLAD that you and Nancy are there to help those who come your way!!

He looks terrific, Nab!! Sending him our best for a long and healthy life!!

Love, Hugs and Scritches

Shi and the gang

[Mindy]

Nab, I have learned allot from your threads, Is this a Canadian Vulture? They have a black head and the farmers hate them because when a new born calf is born they smell the afterbirth and come from miles and then they poke out the eyes of the baby and blind it and then the mother leaves it and they get the rest for dinner? I have saved a turkey vulture once, but they ended up putting it down to much internal damage, but it really was a wonderful bird. People think they smell since they feed on dead stuff but actually he didn't smell awful at all. Its a myth. But around here, the farmers don't like the black headed ones and we hear they do whatever it takes to get rid of them. But not on my watch. I think everything has a right to live. mindy

[Mindy]

Nab, I was just going back rereading the thread and you said he won't get the red head for another year. Sorry for my last post. I was reading the beginning then went and made dinner and just came back and didn't read any further and just posted, sorry. But curious, do the canadian vultures actually do what the farmers say they do? mindy

[maryjane]

Bless his heart and yours too, Nab, and everyone who helps you. Every creature deserves to live. How lucky that he was found and you were able to save him. I think they're magnificent birds and it never ceases to amaze me to think that if they were snow white and/or had feathered heads, they would be considered a beautiful and stunning bird. Which I think they are anyway.

[nabisho]

Originally Posted by Mindy

Nab, I was just going back rereading the thread and you said he won't get the red head for another year. Sorry for my last post. I was reading the beginning then went and made dinner and just came back and didn't read any further and just posted, sorry. But curious, do the canadian vultures actually do what the farmers say they do? mindy

He's not a Black Vulture, the BV's will very rarely attack a newborn calf, usually they just go for the afterbirth but in times of famine they may attack a live newborn calf. The TV's will come in after the BV's to eat on a carcass because they don't have the same ability to tear flesh like the BV's and the King Vultures do, the BV's tear the stuff up and the TV's come along and pick up the pieces so to speak. My boss has been running 3000 head of cattle here in Northern Nevada for 15 years and he's never seen it happen.

NAB :-)

[altgirl35]

i think he gorgeous bald is beautiful!