The vulture symbolism is linked to death, rebirth, equalizing, perception, trust, seriousness, resourcefulness, intelligence, cleanliness, and protection.

Its most common traits are: majesty, strength, courage, justice, and military might. It can be both solar and lunar. Commonly reffered to as “the KING of the beasts,” it is a symbol of Kingly power and might, but as the lioness it is commonly related to the Great Mother and protection.

Buzzards are a harbinger of death and destruction. However, Cooper (1982) points out that as scavengers, the “represent purification,” and thus are also positive symbols.

They primarily live in open country in a wide variety of habitats ranging from subtropical forests to deserts to agricultural land. They find their food, typically called “carrion,” using their keen eyes and sense of smell, often flying low enough to detect the beginnings of the decaying process in dead animals.

If you have ever wondered, “why are vultures hanging around my house?” check your surroundings for any dead animal carcasses. Turkey vultures are carrion eaters. They look for freshly killed animals–usually, leftovers from another predator–and have a feast.

Turkey Vultures use their sense of smell to find carrion. Other vultures, like the Black Vulture, rely upon their vision to find food, often locating carrion by watching where other vultures go. Some mercaptans smell like rotting cabbage or eggs. They and related chemicals are released as carcasses decompose.

Turkey vultures have an extraordinary sense of smell. They have been known to be able to smell carrion from over a mile away, which is very unique in the bird world. The turkey vulture has the largest olfactory (smelling) system of all birds.

Turkey vultures have been reported by aircraft pilots to rise to as high as 20,000 feet and soar for hours without flapping their wings. Researchers have determined that turkey vultures can travel at up to 200 miles in a day.

Gentoo Penguin

“If they can’t find something dead to eat, they will attack live animals – anything outdoors.”