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A deep dive into the vultures of the Wimberley Valley

If you’ve ever driven through the Wimberley Square around sunset, you may have seen a large flock of big, black birds flying down into the creekside cypress trees.

These are black vultures. Most Texans would probably call them simply “buzzards.” To scientists they are coragyps atratus.

This bird enjoys hanging out in colonies and it ranges widely across the state but is quite rare in the Panhandle and northern Trans-Pecos area. It is most plentiful In Wimberley.

Often confused with the turkey vulture, the black vulture has shorter wings, less than five feet long, and also has white patches near the wing tip. Its shorter wings and short tail make it less proficient in soaring. While the turkey vulture sails effortlessly along on slender, two-toned wings, the black vulture is more into rapid flapping and short glides.

Turkey vultures feature red skin patches on the head and face while black vultures have black feathered heads and faces. Both birds feed on carrion and are efficient sanitation workers when it comes to cleaning up roadkill.

The black vulture is a gregarious bird and will often nest near human settlements, hence the roost along the town square.

Go down to the square some evening and watch these well-fed birds come streaming in from all directions. It’s quite a sight.

Wimberley View

P.O. Box 49
Wimberley, TX 78676
Phone: 512-847-2202
Fax: 512-847-9054