MISSOURI, USA — It's not unusual for drivers trekking along one of Missouri's many highways to see rotting roadkill left on the side of the road after being hit by a car.
If the impact was recent, drivers may also be lucky enough to catch nature's carcass clean-up crew: vultures.
Vultures are common migratory birds throughout the state and play a vital environmental role in the cleanup of carrion, or the decaying flesh of dead animals. However, University of Missouri Extension recently released a report describing how black vultures specifically can become an issue for the state's farmers and homeowners.
"Unlike their less-aggressive cousin, the turkey vulture, black vultures are known to gang up and prey on calves, piglets, lambs, and newborn goats," the report said. "They sometimes attack cows that are ill or giving birth. Black vultures can also cause property damage and problems by damaging rubber seals and windshield wipers on parked vehicles, canvas awnings and seating on boats, and rubber or vinyl materials on rooftops."
The actual number of black vulture attacks on livestock is difficult to determine since many incidents go unreported and vultures are sometimes blamed for killing animals that were already dead. Vultures leave characteristic evidence at the scene of an attack, including plucking out eyeballs, eating tongues of newborn animals and large amounts of blood.
Despite how much of a nuisance the birds can be, frustrated farmers and homeowners cannot legally kill them. Black vultures, their nests, and eggs are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which combines four international conservation treaties with Canada, Mexico, Japan and Russia.
Farmers and homeowners looking to get rid of black vultures still have options for controlling them other than illegally killing them, experts said. One of those tactics is harassment.
"Techniques to disturb vultures include loud noises (i.e., blow horns), spraying with a garden hose, or using pyrotechnics may be required," the report said. "Other effective tools include the use of non-lethal shooting and propane cannons, especially in large pasture settings."
Another tactic is applying for a legal damage permit through the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services' Missouri office at 573-449-3033 ext:10 or through the Missouri Farm Bureau through its process.
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