Turkey vultures live in the old oak trees near where my old cat hangs out in the back yard. I am concerned that they will try to take her off or attack her. I have seen an eagle swoop down and take away a cat with its claws.
Zoology - 6 Answers
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1 :
vultures eat carrion, they aren't equipped to be effective predators.
2 :
They are scavengers, not hunters - meaning they wont go after a meal that's not already dead.
3 :
Turkey Vultures are primarily scavengers. They use their sense of smell to locate decaying animals on the wind. They live almost exclusively on carrion. That said, large raptors will not discriminate between a wild rabbit and a domestic cat. Owls, eagles, hawks and other birds of prey are primary predators which actively hunt for live animals and will definitely carry off a small cat if the opportunity is there. And where there are vultures, there are raptors.
4 :
New world vultures are not closely related to hawks, unlike Old World vultures. New world vultures are more closely related to storks according to some DNA studies, and because New World vultures have the same habit of urinating on their own legs as storks do to keep themselves cool. New World vultures do not have the talons and strong beaks that Old World vultures have and they are therefore unable to kill most animals. A vulture may occasionally feast on hapless creatures like a hatchling sea turtle, but they mostly specialize on carrion. New World vultures are only convergently similar to Old World vultures in having a bald head, i.e. they have independently evolved their bald heads because of their similar lifestyles, not because of a close relationship. Having a bald head allows the vultures to have easier access to a carcass. In fact, if the vulture is foolish enough to fly into your back yard, your cat may have fun trying to catch it. :)
5 :
No. they only prey on dead things.
6 :
The vultures are not going to bother your cat, however if you let it roam freely outside with NO supervision..birds of prey should be the LEAST of your worries. What about coyotes, dometicated dogs, poisons, cars, virus, parasites, disease, etc. Outdoor cats are prone to ALL sorts of dangers..not sure why you are worried about the MOST unlikely! Keep you cat indoors if you want it to be safe!
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