Turkey vultures are a common sight in many areas, circling the skies on their impressive wings. If you have a dog, you may wonder if these large birds pose any threat. Read on to learn everything you need to know about turkey vultures and dogs.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: While unusual, turkey vultures can occasionally attack small pets like dogs, but this is very rare. They are generally not aggressive birds.

The Diet and Behavior of Turkey Vultures

Turkey vultures are scavengers that eat dead animals

As scavengers, turkey vultures primarily feed on the carcasses of dead animals, serving an important role in the ecosystem by cleaning up decaying organic matter. They have a very broad palate, feeding on the carrion of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Their diet consists mostly of fresh carcasses, though they will also eat decaying remains if little else is available. With their sharp beaks and strong immune systems, turkey vultures can feed on anthrax-infected carcasses with no ill effects.

Turkey vultures do not typically hunt live prey

While opportunistic feeders, turkey vultures do not usually kill or hunt down live animals. They rely solely on their keen eyesight and sense of smell to locate carcasses. In fact, turkey vultures have the best sense of smell of all vultures, detecting ethyl mercaptan, a gas produced by the beginnings of decay in dead animals.

They can smell dead prey from over a mile away! Though on rare occasions, turkey vultures may feed on vulnerable, moribund prey close to death.

Turkey vultures are not territorial or aggressive birds

Despite their imposing presence, turkey vultures are generally docile and non-aggressive, especially towards each other. They form large communal roosts and will congregate at carcasses with limited conflict.

Turkey vultures do not build nests or defend territories, though mating pairs will defend their nest site when incubating eggs and rearing young. Outside of breeding season, they are highly gregarious birds.

When threatened, turkey vultures will hiss or vomit in self defense, but overall they are timid birds that prefer to avoid confrontation.

Exceptions When a Turkey Vulture Might Attack

During nesting season, turkey vultures can be defensive

Turkey vultures are fiercely protective parents. During the late winter and spring nesting season, turkey vulture pairs build nests and lay eggs. If dogs or other animals approach too closely to their nest, the adult vultures may attack to defend their nestlings and eggs.

The large birds can deliver painful bites with their hooked beaks and scratch with their talons. So it’s wise to keep pets away from known turkey vulture nesting areas from February through June.

Young vultures learning to hunt may mistake small pets as prey

Recently fledged turkey vultures are still perfecting their scavenging skills. These large but awkward juveniles may not recognize the difference between carrion and live animals. There have been rare reports of groups of young turkey vultures attempting to attack very small dogs, possibly in an instinctive attempt to hunt living prey.

But adult turkey vultures quickly teach youngsters to only eat carcasses.

Turkey vultures attracted to a carcass may attack a dog nearby

Turkey vultures use their incredible sense of smell to detect dead animals from impressive distances. Once a turkey vulture arrives at a carcass, it becomes completely focused on feeding. According to wildlife biologists, a feeding frenzy can create turkey vulture aggression as they compete for access to food.

There have been isolated incidents of groups of turkey vultures driving away or attacking dogs in close vicinity to carrion sites.

However, in the vast majority of cases, turkey vultures completely ignore the presence of live dogs and other animals. And any unusual aggression lasts only as long as the feeding opportunity. So while defensive turkey vulture attacks are extremely rare events, keeping dogs leashed in areas frequented by vultures provides extra assurance.

Protecting Your Dog from Potential Turkey Vulture Attacks

Be cautious taking small dogs outdoors during nesting season

Turkey vultures are scavengers that primarily feed on carrion. However, they can be aggressive in defending their nests and young during breeding season (March to June). Small dogs under 20 pounds may be seen as a threat or prey if they get too close to a nest.

To keep little Fidos safe, keep them on a leash when taking them out and supervise them closely. Avoid areas where you’ve spotted turkey vulture nests in trees, caves or crevices. Stay alert and leave the area if you see these large, hunchbacked birds swooping low or displaying warning signals like hissing.

Keep dogs on a leash and supervise them outside

Turkey vultures have a wingspan up to 6 feet wide and their sharp beaks can deliver nasty bites. Even medium to large dogs could get injured if attacked by one of these aggressive protectors.

When walking your dog, keep them leashed and don’t allow them to run off into wooded areas unattended. Watch for circling vultures overhead or perched on fence posts, as they may be guarding a nearby carcass.

In your yard, stay outside with your pup to supervise their playtime and potty breaks. Vultures are more likely to swoop if your dog is alone and unaware. Keeping them close will discourage daring passes from territorial turkey vultures.

Remove animal carcasses from your property

Carrion is a strong motivator for turkey vultures. A decaying carcass in your yard will draw in scavengers from miles around. They may stick around for several days until there’s nothing left to eat.

Eliminate this food source to prevent vultures from staking claim. Use gloves and a shovel to bag and dispose of any dead animals like raccoons or birds. Bleach the area to remove residual odors that would also attract vultures.

Keeping your property clear of tempting carrion will discourage turkey vultures from settling in. Fewer vultures nearby means less risk for your pooch.

What to Do if a Turkey Vulture Attacks Your Dog

Make loud noises to startle the bird away

If a turkey vulture starts aggressively diving at your dog, the first thing to try is making loud noises to startle the bird and encourage it to leave. Yell loudly, clap your hands forcefully together, or bang pots and pans. The sudden loud noises may surprise the vulture and make it fly away.

Using noisemakers like air horns or whistles can also be effective at scaring off an attacking vulture.

Stay close to your dog and act aggressively to deter attack

Don’t leave your dog alone if a turkey vulture is diving at it. Stay close to your dog and act aggressively towards the bird by waving your arms, throwing sticks or small rocks in its direction (without actually hitting it), or spraying water at it.

Your aggressive behavior signals that you are ready to defend your dog and may convince the vulture to seek an easier target. Ultimately, the vulture wants an easy meal and if you show it that your dog won’t be simple to attack, there’s a good chance it will move on.

Always be humane and never actually strike or harm the vulture if attempting to deter an attack. The goal is just to startle and scare it off through noise and aggressive posturing.

Get your dog to safety if the bird keeps diving

If the loud noises and aggressive deterrents don’t work and the turkey vulture persists in diving at your dog, get your dog to safety as quickly as possible. Pick up your dog and put it in your car or take it indoors.

You can also put your dog on a leash and quickly walk/run with it to get away from the area.

If your dog is too large to pick up, keeping it very close by your side as you aggressively face the bird may deter attack long enough to retreat. Use your body as a shield between the diving bird and your dog as you back away.

If the bird continues to persistently follow and dive, throw a coat or towel over your dog’s body and head to protect it as you move it to safety.

Avoid letting your dog run off on its own away from you, as a lone fleeing dog may trigger the vulture’s predatory instincts even more. Staying close to your dog and acting as its protector is key.

Conclusion

While turkey vulture attacks are uncommon, they can sometimes target small pets like dogs as prey. By understanding turkey vulture behavior and taking precautions, you can safely enjoy the outdoors with your pup.

Stay vigilant during nesting season, keep your dog supervised, and deter any aggressive birds. With proper awareness, you can prevent concerning vulture interactions.

Similar Posts