In recent years, Black Vultures have moved farther north into what used to be their southern border. They’re spreading northward and westward across the arid desert Southwest, a dramatic shift from their historic ranges in the deep South and Latin/South America. Farmers have great concern with this expansion, particularly those who farm with livestock. The birds have an undeserved reputation for attacking and killing healthy cattle.
From the birds’ perspective, Beautiful Black Vultures, unlike most of their avian kin, are non-migratory. Their new status as a stable and booming population brings serious consequences for producers, who find themselves needing to defend their crops against these year-round scavengers. Although the birds play a critical role in the ecosystem by cleaning up carrion, their presence can lead to conflicts with livestock, prompting discussions about managing their population.
As things stand under current U.S. law, Black Vultures are shielded from harm by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This protection does not fully insulate them from the impact of their increasing population. In March, a bill was introduced in Congress aimed at allowing farmers to capture or kill Black Vultures to prevent “death, injury, or destruction to livestock.” This legislative action is a testament to the growing capacity and power of agricultural communities who are suffering the impacts from the vultures’ expanding range.
Annette Ericksen grows at Twin Maples Farm in Milton, West Virginia. For a number of years, she has had Black Vultures on her property. Luckily, she hasn’t lost a single bird to these predators … at least not yet. Even with their protection, she is always on the lookout for the threat coyotes pose to her farm animals.
For Tom Karr, another local farmer who has incurred significant losses from Black Vultures already, the damage was done. A decade back, he lost a calf after an attack from these birds. In an effort to mitigate future risks, Karr attempted to adjust his calving season, hoping that timing his births later in the year would help avoid interactions with the vultures. His efforts were in vain. As he says, Black Vultures have stuck around year-round ever since.
Farmers such as Karr are able to get depredation permits. These special permits make it possible for them to shoot a small number of Black Vultures legally each year. These permits come with stipulations. Farmers must account for and carefully document the estimated number of protected birds killed. Read Next Local cattlemen’s associations and state farm bureaus usually stand in lockstep to protect local producers from threats. They keep people informed on their rights and responsibilities as part of a wildlife management program.
The discussion surrounding Black Vultures is multifaceted. On one hand, they play an “essential function” in disposing of animal remains and curtailing disease spread. In contrast, their predation on livestock forms a tangible danger to farmers’ livelihoods.
“If there’s one thing we’ve learned from a lot of different studies of birds, it’s that they are very good at taking advantage of food resources and remembering where those things are,” said a representative from a local agricultural organization.
Other farmers support easier measures to control Black Vulture populations. As Bird and other experts recently explained, moving too swiftly to deploy these fixes risks throwing Mother Nature out of whack. As Allan Bryant succinctly put it:
“Honestly, the black vulture is one of the ugliest things I’ve ever seen.”
This feeling underscores a national problem. Birders, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts respect and admire scavenging birds for their beauty and contribution as ecological clean up crew members. The challenge lies in finding a balance between protecting livestock and preserving the vital roles that such species play in nature.
Black Vultures are moving farther north and west into previously uncolonized areas. Farmers will need to remain diligent in keeping their cattle safe and protected from these birds while working within the legal protections afforded to them. The ongoing dialogue among farmers, conservationists, and lawmakers will be crucial in shaping effective solutions that address the needs of both agriculture and wildlife.
