![]() ![]() Although threatened by pesticides several decades ago, their numbers are now on the rise and they are one of the most common large carnivorous birds in the United States. They occur year round in southern states, and are found all the way down to South America. Unable to sing, Turkey Vultures produce a gruesome hiss when agitated or fighting for better access to a carcass.ĭuring breeding season, Turkey Vultures can be found throughout much of the U.S. Turkey Vultures feed on the dead, i.e., carrion, thanks to an immune system powerful enough to ward off botulism, anthrax, or salmonella. And its dietary preferences don't disappoint. With a distinctly skull-like head rumpled in skin the color of raw meat, the Turkey Vulture looks - at least from the shoulders up - straight out of a horror film. Some studies even suggest that they can plan tasks in advance - a skill that was once believed to be exclusively human. Ravens, it turns out, enjoy a level of cognition comparable with some great apes. In recent years, interest in these birds has grown beyond their spooky calls and appearance, as researchers have come to appreciate their remarkable intelligence. In fact, in many areas, their population is now on the rise. But as forests have returned, so have ravens. At that time, ravens had nearly disappeared from the eastern U.S., as its forests were rapidly felled. Ironically, this iconic call may have been largely absent from the landscape Edgar Allen Poe knew when he penned “The Raven” in 1845. Of course, none is better known than their guttural croaking, which can be heard more than a mile away. These social birds have been observed making more than 30 different sounds. Photo by Manja/ShutterstockĪlthough most famously associated with a single word, “nevermore,” Common Ravens possess more than a little vocal dexterity. This nocturnal forager can be found at several ABC-supported reserves, including Tapichalaca in Ecuador, Abra Patricia in Peru, Barba Azul in Bolivia, and El Dorado in Colombia. This adaptation allows the birds to keep an eye on potential threats while remaining still, with their enormous eyes closed.Īlthough considered common and widely distributed in Central and South America, Common Potoos are suspected to be in decline due to ongoing habitat loss. That's not all: Potoos' upper eyelids have several small slits that serve as “peek-holes” during the day. Not only can it carry a note, but its slow, mournful song may be one of the most haunting in the bird world. Given the Common Potoo's comically strange, almost frog-like appearance, you might expect to hear a series of monstrous croaks. Although their secretive nature makes accurate population counts difficult, their numbers are believed to be stable. In addition, large-scale, mechanized agriculture makes large swaths of former habitat inhospitable to Barn Owls. Barn Owls' low-flying hunting habits put them at risk when crossing roads, and car collisions take a constant toll. These days, however, humans are the ones delivering fatal tidings. Although both males and females can produce these shrieking sounds, they're most often made by males during flight.īarn Owls are found throughout much of the world, including England, where Shakespeare, captivated by the owl and its shrill cries, referenced it in several plays, typically in less than cheery terms, such as: “Bring forth that fatal screech-owl to our house/That nothing sung but death to us and ours.” ![]() Unlike most owls, Barn Owls don't engage in mellow nighttime “hooting ” they pierce the darkness with long, harsh screeches.
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