ML636577054

Beobachtungsdetails

First reported by Brian Sullivan and yesterday by Carol and Larry Rose. Was driving back from Fort Hunter Ligget when I saw the bird almost smack on the centerline of Carmel Valley Road, eating a road-killed California ground squirrel opposite the house at 45100. I parked and took some photos. Several cars came by and were kind enough to slow for the bird, which seemed fairly streetwise in that it trotted away from vehicles and returned to the squirrel carcass as soon as they left. I moved the carcass to the road shoulder so as to reduce the chance that the vulture would itself become roadkill. It did not leave the squirrel until I walked within 20 or so feet, and then flew to a nearby fencepost only when I started to walk across the road. It finally flew away when I moved the dead squirrel onto the shoulder. Instantly recognizable as a black vulture from shape, behavior, and long legs and neck even while silhouetted against strong backlight (very different from the Gestalt of a turkey vulture). In better light the bare gray face and neck and whiteish feet were obvious. In flight it showed a large white patch at the base of the primaries.