Birds enjoying this morning's bright sun

[2Bwacco]

Heading west on Guerneville Road this morning, approaching the terrible T, i noticed a med. size black vulture sitting on telephone/cable lines facing south.

He was sitting holding his wings open, to maximize exposure of the area under his wings and breast to the intense early morning sun. (Perhaps there is some bug-killing effect from the UVs?)

i enjoyed seeing him there, having his simple moment of warmth and life.

Later i saw a red-tail hawk atop a tall redwood tree, facing the sun, wings against his body, his light tan breast gleaming in the morning's light.

We are so lucky to have such beautiful weather and creatures

[Dixon]

He was sitting holding his wings open, to maximize exposure of the area under his wings and breast to the intense early morning sun. (Perhaps there is some bug-killing effect from the UVs?)

My understanding is that they sun their wings in the morning to dry off the dew, making flight easier. Vultures are the laziest things in the air (well, not counting dandelion seeds, LOL). They like to minimize the wing-beating they must do to get up there and catch an updraft, upon which they can surf for a lonnnnnnng time without effort, their low-slung bodies hanging down from their wings like gondolas hanging down from balloons.

I share your appreciation for them, the gorgeous redtails, and other wildlife around here.

[2Bwacco]

i submit ... yon vulture ... not unlike an unused computer screen ... was in an energy saving mode; as with gliding on the thermals: he does what is needed.

pretty smart?

his posture caught my eye because the wings were hunched up -- but NOT extended -- kind of use of a different set of muscles.

Their carrion work probably makes them more susceptible to coming into contact with bacteria, viruses, lice, fleas, all that nasty stuff .... thanks for sharing!

[Dixon]

his posture caught my eye because the wings were hunched up -- but NOT extended -- kind of use of a different set of muscles.

Oh, I see.

Their carrion work probably makes them more susceptible to coming into contact with bacteria, viruses, lice, fleas, all that nasty stuff ...

Evolutionary biologists speculate that so many species of vulture have bald heads to protect them from contamination by the various beasties you mention. If you're sticking your head into rotting body cavities to feed, you don't want rotten stuff, contaminated with diseases and parasites, clinging to your head, and that's less likely to happen with a smooth head than with a feathered one.