Predator or Scavenger Identifying Help

[HeatherKellyB]

I know it's a long shot because of the quality of the picture (my daughter was making a video before and didn't switch it back). It's what I could capture out of the 1 second video. This bird was definitely on the ground about 50-75 ft from my chickens and possibly munching on a raw bone from a Boston Butt we cooked Saturday (absolutely no idea why on earth it's anywhere near the chickens). I came out of my shop and right as I came into view of the chickens, I could see a wing flap, so of course I tried to find it for identification. It flew up into a tree and sat there before moving to a different limb for a better view, but out of my view. I tried to get a better shot and it flew off before I was able to. I just lost my favorite Drake several days ago to a dog and I'd hate to lose anyone else, but at the same time, I don't want to make them suffer by locking them up, if this bird was just enjoying some meat that shouldn't be there.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Here is the bone that has what looks like marks from a beak. Also, the only colors I was able to see from the edge of the wing, as it flew off, are black and white. Actually, the bird was about 25 to 30 foot from the closest run with chickens. I am terrible at guessing measurements

 

[HeatherKellyB]

It's back (not landed anywhere just flying over) but it's got a few buddies with it and that makes me feel a little better. Going by the identifying by the way they fly, that I learned here, it looks to be a scavenger (buzzard?). Very wobbly and more of a flap soar soar soar soar soar flap soar soar........ Out of my 6 Cockerels, only the little silkie seems worried about it and it seems more worried about the birds shadow

 

[Painted Calls]

It does appear to be a Turkey Vulture. How big are they?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I am not good about size estimates, but I'd probably guess about the size of a standard chicken, maybe a little bit smaller. Definitely not as big around as a standard chicken.

 

[aart]

I am not good about size estimates, but I'd probably guess about the size of a standard chicken, maybe a little bit smaller. Definitely not as big around as a standard chicken.

Probably not a vulture then......really hard to tell from pic.
Hopefully you can get another pic(not that I want your birds to be stalked again).

 

[Painted Calls]

Agreed. Both turkey and black vultures are big.

If they happen to come back, be ready and try to get a few better pictures.

Hopefully it'll remain a mystery and they won't come back though!