Name the bird???

[Tooker]

Found this tree in California near the Sierra Nevada foothills during my recent trip....a large collection of black (from where i was standing) birds all sat in the top of the tree...im thinking that they are black vultures...anyone correct or agree with me??? pics included + some of them flying.
Cheers :)
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10061

[Talon]

to small to see them propper.

[Finnish]

Moved thread to correct place..

[Tooker]

any opinions by the american falconers?

[StormRider]

pigeons
stu

[Tooker]

uhm
no
not pigeons

[Starsky]

Found this tree in California near the Sierra Nevada foothills during my recent trip....a large collection of black (from where i was standing) birds all sat in the top of the tree...im thinking that they are black vultures...anyone correct or agree with me??? pics included + some of them flying.
Cheers :)
10060

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they look like black vultures to me or they could well be turkey vultures, as they are more widespread throughout the USA, seen some in Colorado.

[BlackShaheen1]

i think the one on the left is called john

[Red-Devil]

i think the one on the left is called john
no thats eric lol

[phoenix123]

i agree ther probably black vultures but could be turkeys

[FredrickFogg]

They are black vultures, the turkey vultures have red heads!

Fred

[Tacatanach]

They are black vultures, the turkey vultures have red heads!

Fred

In general yes, but juvinel turkey vultures have gray heads.

[FredrickFogg]

In general yes, but juvinel turkey vultures have gray heads.

From what I could see in the picture, not a single red head in the tree, so either they were all juvie turkey vultures or they are all black vultures. I doubt that the entire tree with have nothing but juvies turkey vultures in it as they generally flock together with the adults. So again, I say they are black vultures.

Fred

[Tacatanach]

From what I could see in the picture, not a single red head in the tree, so either they were all juvie turkey vultures or they are all black vultures. I doubt that the entire tree with have nothing but juvies turkey vultures in it as they generally flock together with the adults. So again, I say they are black vultures.

Fred

I agree with you, just pointing out the juvenil head color is different:)

[Pete J.]

Definitely vultures though...the dihydral (V-shaped when gliding) wing indicates that much at least. More than likely Blacks since there are no obvious redheads in the entire bunch (as Fred said). But Therese makes a good point about the juvies head color.

[PrinceOfTheWesternDesert]

i see alot of vultures, as i live in california,, and they tend to sit in trees exactly like that, in "kettles"
but i cant even see a single bald head in those pictures,,
about 3 years ago i ran into a group of about 50 dark phase rough legged hawks,,and i had never seen a single individual of that species ever ,, up until that moment,,
before i got a close look,, i had misdentified them 4 different ways,,
so i learned to never make a guess until youve had a good look,,
so to me,, this is a picture of u.f.o.'s

[BlueJack]

In California we only have turkey vultures. We also have swainsons hawks. A large buteo slightly smaller then the redtail. Thet are communal and I have seen them in groups just like the ones in the photo many times. With the clairity of the photo and all it could be either one.
Keith

[Pete J.]

In California we only have turkey vultures. We also have swainsons hawks. A large buteo slightly smaller then the redtail. Thet are communal and I have seen them in groups just like the ones in the photo many times. With the clairity of the photo and all it could be either one.
Keith
Well we know it's a vulture from the flight pic...so I guess we have a winner...turkey vultures they is!:supz:

[BlueJack]

Actually, the swainsons do show some v in their wings so....... yer guess is as good as mine.
Keith :goodman:

[Pete J.]

Actually, the swainsons do show some v in their wings so....... yer guess is as good as mine.
Keith :goodman:
True enough...but that's a bunch of melanistic Swainson's to be all in one tree. I think we'd need a closer to pic to be sure...but my money is still on vultures. Anty up!!