A month ago, an adolescent black vulture somehow landed in the Village and has been there ever since. We found him laying in a bit of a heap, his head tucked downward, barely able to rise up on his two large feet. When he did rise up, sensing danger as the Village caregivers approached, he moved in a drunken trot to find cover.
After a week or so, it was clear help was needed. We know cats, but we don't know raptors, so we contacted five wildlife and bird rescue organizations. None wanted to help this poor bird, but one organization did provide advice: feed the bird raw meat. So we did and continue to do so--raw chicken, hamburger and even shrimp ceviche.
Clearly, the raptor wasn't going anywhere. It was time to give him a name. We call him Tyrone.
In the weeks following his discovery, we have learned a lot about black vultures through our observations and Google searches.
Like feral cats that become bonded to their colony mates, black vultures prefer to be in flocks. Some of Tyrone's flock members come to visit him--usually no more than two of them. It's fascinating to see them periodically hang out with Tyrone. Maybe the two that visit him are his mom and dad. Whatever relation they are to Tyrone, as an observer you can't help to think that they care about him and encourage him to heal.
Now, over a month into his recovery, Tyrone seems to be more self-confident. He hangs out with the cats and they don't mind. He preens himself, he seems to have a steadier walk, and on Saturday he fully spread his wings for the first time in a month and flew several yards.
It hasn't taken a lot to help Tyrone, only a little time and a lot of compassion from his flock members, his caregivers, and the Village residents.
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