Dear Answer Man, I have to ask this question while it's fresh in my mind. Does anyone know what kind of birds are circling in the sky a short way east of Apache Mall? There appear to be 10 or more large birds that glide in a circle at different heights. I have noticed this peculiar sight over the course of three days. I can't tell if they're hawks, eagles or some other type of large bird. — Jeff Morgan, Rochester
Being a nationally known ornithologist, I can easily help you.
Are they yellow, first of all? If so, I can tell you exactly what type of Big Birds they are.
Assuming they're black and not nearly as charming as the yellow ones, and also assuming they're a little bigger than hawks or eagles, I'm going to assume they're turkey vultures . They're around a lot, currently, and my wife often confuses them with eagles from a distance. I gently correct her and she graciously accepts my superior knowledge in this field.
Turkey vultures are scavengers, as you probably know, and they feed almost exclusively on road kill and other carrion. Maybe there's something delectable just east of Apache Mall that they're cleaning up. They like to ride thermals in the air, just like eagles and other raptors, though I'm not aware that they glide around in groups. They do like to hang out with other vultures when they roost. That can be a scary sight, especially when they're roosting in a dead tree.
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I'm open to other theories on this Apache Mall bird sighting, however. If you're as accomplished an ornithologist as me, send a note. If not, send it, too.
