Black vultures definitely do not win any popularity contests when it comes to wildlife in Texas. They are, however, an important part of our ecosystem and serve their purpose well as nature’s cleanup crew.

There are two types of vultures that we see here in Texas, the turkey vulture and the black vulture. Easily distinguished, the black vulture has a black head and white wing tips, while the turkey vulture has a reddish colored head and is completely black in color. More importantly, both are protected by federal law and cannot be killed or possessed.

Recently, black vultures have been the source of many calls to local Game Wardens and pose two common problems. The first issue is that vultures roost near homes and neighborhoods. There have been several concerns from community members in Austin County this month regarding black vulture roosts near their residence. Black vultures are much more social than their turkey vulture cousins, often roosting in large groups, sometimes up to several hundred birds. The roosts will be near active food sources such as dumpsters, landfills or areas on hunting lands where animal carcasses are usually disposed. They like to roost in high trees or structures, and once they set up camp in trees, cell phone towers or power line towers, they tend to return there to roost for years to come.

Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to this human-vulture conflict. According to our local Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist, the most effective methods to remove them are loud noises and “effigies” or artificial cutouts made to look like dead vultures hung upside down around the roosts. Also, physical barriers designed to discourage birds from landing in a particular place such as spikes may also deter vultures. There are numerous products available online, just remember that all vultures are protected and cannot be harmed or killed due to nuisance roosting areas.

The second complaint relating to black vultures is the depredation of newborn livestock, most notably newborn calves. Black vultures target the soft tissues, including the eyes and noses of weak, defenseless newborns. This problem has become more common in recent years, and a 2017 study by the USDA reported black vultures were responsible for 10 percent of all predatory calf deaths in the U.S. In response to this, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has allowed the issuance of Migratory Bird Depredation Permits. Through an application and approval process, use of lethal means to control the vultures preying on livestock may be allowed. This is a highly regulated and monitored program in which lethal methods are allowed only to reinforce non-lethal methods. For more details on this program, please contact the Texas Wildlife Service State Office at 210-561-3800.

Vultures are an important part of the ecosystem. These conflicts are inevitable as the human population expands to more rural areas. It is up to us to find creative ways to live among and protect all types of wildlife.