Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) are a common sight in the skies over Washington state. These large, mostly black birds with bald red heads are a type of raptor that play an important role as scavengers, helping to keep the landscape clean by feeding on carrion. But despite providing this valuable service, turkey vultures have a reputation as creepy, unappealing birds. This leads many people to ask if it is legal to harm or kill turkey vultures in Washington. The short answer is no – turkey vultures are protected under both state and federal laws.
Turkey vulture status in Washington
Turkey vultures are found across Washington state year-round. Their population appears stable, with about 10,000-20,000 vultures residing in the state. Turkey vultures are classified as protected wildlife under the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 232-12-011). This gives them special conservation status and makes it illegal to hunt, trap, kill or possess turkey vultures in Washington without a permit.
The turkey vulture is also protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This law makes it illegal to harm any migratory bird species, including their eggs or active nests, without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The turkey vulture is one of over 1,000 migratory birds protected by this law. Between the state and federal regulations, turkey vultures have robust legal protections in Washington.
Reasons for turkey vulture protection
There are several ecological and ethical reasons why turkey vultures warrant protection:
They provide a key ecosystem service
As scavengers, turkey vultures help clean up carrion (dead animals) that would otherwise rot. This limits the spread of diseases like anthrax and botulism. Vultures have very strong stomach acid that allows them to safely digest diseased carcasses. Their clean-up work is estimated to save taxpayers money on carcass disposal costs. Without vultures, ecosystems would be messier and less sanitary.
They are not significant predators
Turkey vultures eat carrion almost exclusively. They do not usually hunt or kill live prey. The rare occasions when a turkey vulture does kill live prey is likely opportunistic. Since turkey vultures pose little threat to livestock, game animals or pets, there is no need to control their populations for predatory reasons.
Their populations are slow to recover
Turkey vultures have a slow reproductive rate. They lay only 1-3 eggs per year, and raise only one chick about 70% of the time. Their nests have low productivity due to susceptibility to predators, weather, infertile eggs and sibling rivalry. Even with a long lifespan, turkey vulture populations are slow to rebound from declines. Strict protection allows their populations to remain stable.
There are ethical concerns
Many conservationists and animal advocates believe it is unethical for humans to kill native wild animals without cause. Since turkey vultures help keep ecosystems clean and healthy without impacting human activities much, there is no compelling reason to allow their unchecked killing. Protecting turkey vultures supports ethical wildlife stewardship principles.
Exceptions when turkey vultures can legally be killed in Washington
While turkey vultures are generally protected, there are a few exceptions written into the law:
With a permit
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can issue permits to kill turkey vultures for specific purposes like scientific research, education, taxidermy or falconry. These are special circumstances and require federal permits.
To protect livestock
In the rare event that turkey vultures are preying on live farmed animals, farmers have allowance under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to kill vultures to protect their livestock. Non-lethal deterrents are recommended first.
For aviation safety
Turkey vultures are sometimes struck and killed unintentionally by aircraft near airports for aviation safety. Their populations are monitored and controlled on a limited basis by authorities if they become a threat to flight operations.
As Native American religious practice
Native American tribes are legally allowed to use turkey vulture parts, like feathers, for certain religious and spiritual practices. This exception acknowledges their traditional cultural rights.
When threatening human health or safety
In very rare cases when a turkey vulture poses a direct threat to human health or safety, it can legally be killed. This would only apply if the bird could not be safely captured and relocated instead.
Penalties for illegally killing turkey vultures in Washington
It is a crime to illegally kill turkey vultures or destroy their active nests and eggs in Washington. Here are the potential legal penalties:
State penalties
Under the WAC code, illegally killing a turkey vulture is punishable as a misdemeanor. This can include:
– Up to 90 days in jail
– Fines up to $1,000
– Loss of any hunting licenses for 1-5 years
Federal penalties
Violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act can result in:
– Up to 2 years in prison
– Fines up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for an organization
The penalties can be harsher depending on the extent of the violation. Jail time is rare for a first offense not resulting in permanent damage. Fines and loss of hunting privileges are more typical.
Why turkey vultures roost in large groups
A bird behavior that often sparks the question “are turkey vultures protected?” is their habit of roosting together in large numbers. During migration and in winter, turkey vultures will gather by the hundreds or even thousands to roost communally at night.
This large grouping behavior offers them several benefits:
Thermoregulation
When roosting closely together, turkey vultures can stay warm through communal body heat. This helps them conserve energy on cold nights.
Predator protection
In a large roosting flock, turkey vultures have safety in numbers. Predators are less likely to attack them.
Social benefits
The roosts allow turkey vultures to socialize with other vultures, which may strengthen communal bonds. Younger vultures can also learn migration routes and scavenging sites.
Efficient scavenging
By roosting together overnight, turkey vultures can follow one another to promising food sources the next day. This makes scavenging more efficient.
While their large roosts may look unsettling, the habit benefits turkey vulture survival. Since they are protected, it is illegal to disturb their roost sites.
How to legally deter turkey vultures in Washington
In some cases, large turkey vulture roosts conflict with human interests or property uses. While killing turkey vultures is not allowed, there are legal, non-lethal methods to deter them in Washington:
Visual repellents
Objects like scarecrows, fake predators and flashing lights can make a roost site less appealing to turkey vultures. Reflective tape and shiny balloons may also deter them.
Sound repellents
Loud noises such as sirens, popping balloons, clapping hands, air horns and fireworks can prompt roosting turkey vultures to abandon their site. Playing natural predator calls like eagle shrieks can work too.
Odor repellents
Turkey vultures rely heavily on scent to find food. Foul odors from garlic, ammonia, cyanoacrylate glue or feces can override roosting smells and cause turkey vultures to go elsewhere.
Habitat modification
Removing tall roost trees near buildings forces vultures to settle elsewhere. Installation of anti-roosting spikes or netting on potential perch sites also deters them physically.
Active hazing
Using pyrotechnics, lasers, water hoses or other active disturbance methods often convinces turkey vultures to leave an area they are roosting or trying to roost in. Doing this consistently trains them to avoid the site.
Best practices for coexisting with turkey vultures
Since turkey vultures provide ecosystem services and are protected wildlife, the best solution is to find ways to coexist with them. Here are some coexistence tips:
Use repellents adaptively
Only use repellent methods if turkey vultures are directly conflicting with a specific human need. Use them adaptively and avoid excessive harassment of the birds.
Protect livestock proactively
To avoid the need to kill vultures, use best practices like carcass removal and excluding turkey vultures from barns and pens. This prevents attraction.
Appreciate their role
Foster an appreciation of the waste management services turkey vultures provide. Their feeding habits are a natural part of the circle of life.
Avoid close nest disturbances
Never approach or disturb a turkey vulture nest. Parental disturbance can lead to nest abandonment.
Educate others
Set a good example by informing others that turkey vultures are protected. Discourage persecution or disrespectful attitudes toward vultures.
Support conservation
Get involved with conservation organizations that study and protect turkey vultures and other scavenger species. Stay informed on policy issues.
Conclusion
Turkey vultures are protected year-round under both Washington state and federal laws. They provide a valuable ecological service as carrion scavengers and do not normally threaten human interests. While their habit of roosting communally in large numbers can cause local conflicts, there are legal ways to non-lethally disperse them. Killing turkey vultures should always be an absolute last resort, and those who illegally persecute them face stiff penalties. Coexisting with turkey vultures through better understanding and management practices allows us to benefit from the services they provide to the ecosystems we share with them.
