Turkey Vulture in Syosset

By Leader Staff

A sharp-eyed Syosset homeowner photographed a huge bird of prey warming itself on the house's chimney this past week.

"It's definitely a Turkey Vulture," concluded a local science teacher.

Long Island has seen a return of birds of prey over the past 20 years, as Ospreys, Hawks, and Eagles - including an expanding presence of Bald Eagles - re-populate the island.

The natural range of the Turkey Vulture ia from southern Canada to the southern tip of South America.

The Eastern Turkey Vulture - photographed - has a wingspan of up to 6 feet, and a weight of up to six pounds.  The birds eat carrion - dead animals - and can sometimes be seen feasting on a dead deer along roadsides.

The Turkey Vulture's only natural predator - and then mostly against young vultures - is the Bald Eagle.