I bet you’re wondering why I’m in my crate right now and not out patrolling my neighborhood. Well today I’m demonstrating the importance of duck and cover drills. There is a new threat in my neighborhood, and to be honest I’m not quite sure how to respond other than by seeking shelter!
It all started when Mom, Asa and myself were in the backyard waiting for Dad to join us for our afternoon patrol. Mom just happened to look up and noticed one ginormous bird circling in the distance over the highest pine trees. “What kind of bird is that?” she asked Dad when he finally joined us. Just then a second bird appeared circling over the tree tops. “It’s too big to be a hawk,” he replied, “I think those are Turkey Vultures.” Tired of birdwatching, I started to bark reminding Mom and Dad of the more important task of neighborhood patrol, and we headed off on our walk.
However, as we walked down the driveway we couldn’t help but notice that there were now three Turkey Vultures circling overhead. Mom scolded herself for not having her camera. Why do all the interesting things on neighborhood patrol happen when she doesn’t have her camera? We continued on our walk, but with an eye to the sky. Well everyone but Asa, he was oblivious as usual, and just focused on his personal needs.
As we stopped to let Asa do his business, that’s when the menacing vultures took the opportunity to make their plan clear. They were following us! Two remained high above the trees, but a third bird brazenly buzzed surprisingly close over our heads. Perhaps he wanted to make sure we saw his distinctive red head, so we would know for certain he was a Turkey Vulture and not the more prolific hawks we see on patrol? As we all stood there waiting for Dad to pick up Asa’s deposit, the bird made a second even lower flyby near us. I’m not ashamed to admit that at this point I was really glad Dad and Mom are a lot taller than me.
Mom began to get really nervous. Years ago she had a confrontation with a Turkey Vulture while she was in her car. The bird was in the the middle of her lane in front of our house eating roadkill when Mom happened to drive up. She stopped the car assuming the bird would fly away. It didn’t. Instead he stared at her, then continued to eat his meal. Mom beeped the horn. The Turkey Vulture turned to face her, raised his huge wings in the most threatening of postures, stood it’s ground for a moment, and then continued eating his snack. Mom just sat there in horror until the bird finally flew away.
But not today. I wasn’t about to let my family just stand there while the Turkey Vultures threatened us. I uncharacteristically started pulling Mom on the other end of my leash down the street. I haven’t pulled like that in a year. But I knew we had to get out of there. Even Dad didn’t question my actions and followed closely behind with Asa as we quickly did our complete walk. Hey, those vultures were not going to stop me from doing my rounds…or my business! The entire time they continued circling overhead.
Suddenly they all flew off towards our house. Mom blurted out what we were all thinking, “It’s a trap!” Dad reasoned that together we are massive compared to a few birds, and must have scared them away. I did a low growl. Clearly on one of those flybys they must have realized it was me they were dealing with, and not just any dog.
Asa pointed out that he could hear the wild turkeys gobbling in a distressed tone in the distance. Mom worried about the safety of Momma Turkey and her many friends and relations, who are regularly seen in our yard. However, a quick google search by Dad proved that Turkey Vultures don’t actually eat live turkeys. They prefer to feast on carrion. Well I can report that I didn’t see any dead animals, wild turkeys or otherwise, on our walk. This fact makes their uncivil air patrol all the more unnerving! What were they looking for and why did they focus their attention on us?
