Hobbies And Interests
Types of Birds
Most birds eat carrion at least occasionally. However, for some birds it comprises the most important part of the diet. Vultures prefer carrion above other food sources. Other birds that commonly eat carrion include crows, ravens and magpies.
Finding Food
Most carrion birds find food with their extremely sharp vision. The birds fly high above and search for potential food that is not moving. Then, they wait until they are sure that the food remains still before flying down to eat. American vultures, such as the turkey vulture and the California condor, also have a very sensitive olfactory sense and can smell dead meat on the ground.
The Food Web
Carrion birds are a type of consumer because they eat other organisms. However, they fit into the food web with carnivores in a complex way. Much of the food that scavengers eat is killed by carnivores. The rest die by natural causes, such as disease, or other external causes like humans. Scavenging birds play a part in ensuring that no food goes to waste. Instead of allowing the decomposers to work immediately, the carrion birds eat dead food and make use of its energy.
Circling Myth
While vultures sometimes circle prey that it considers eating, it is a misconception that this is the primary reason that people see circling vultures. Instead, this sight has to do with the way these birds fly. Birds often fly in an effortless manner by riding thermal updrafts. This propels them upward in a circle as they look for another thermal to continue propelling their flight.