Vultures have an adaptable nature and exhibit complex behavior. These 

characteristics—combined with increasing vulture populations—are resulting in a wide range of confl icts between vultures and people. Confl icts 

occur in agricultural as well as in suburban and urban settings. WS works 

closely with farmers, homeowners, State and local governments, and industries to resolve confl icts with vultures. 

Two different vulture species are native to North America: black vultures and turkey vultures. These scavengers play an important role in the 

ecosystem, feeding mostly on carrion, or already dead animals. Extremely 

adaptable, vultures thrive in close proximity to people. 

Vultures have bald heads, sharp beaks, and highly acidic stomach 

liquids and urine. These physical characteristics help them in their role as 

scavengers, but contribute to the damage that the birds cause. The birds 

regurgitate a reeking and corrosive vomit as a natural defense. Their uric 

acid kills bacteria on their legs, but it is also corrosive. Additionally, the vulture’s sharp nails and beaks are highly destructive to manmade surfaces. 

Populations of both species have increased in abundance and range in 

the past 30 years. These increases may continue into the future. Vultures 

often form large roosts and loafi ng areas, numbering from a few dozen to 

hundreds of individual birds. Confl icts arise when these congregations form 

near people. 

Confl icts with People 

Property Damage—Large groups of vultures may roost or occupy 

woodlots near people’s homes. Their behavior can be destructive. Black 

vultures often damage homes and commercial buildings by tearing window 

caulking, roof shingles, vent seals, rubber roof liners, and pool covers. 

Factsheet

November 2010

Vulture Damage Management

Protecting People

Protecting Agriculture

Protecting Wildlife

Wildlife Services

Wildlife Services (WS), 

a program of the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s 

(USDA) Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS), provides Federal 

leadership and expertise 

to resolve wildlife confl icts 

that threaten the Nation’s 

agricultural and natural 

resources, human health and 

safety, and property.

The program’s biologists 

provide direct management 

assistance and information 

to reduce vulture damage. 

They also conduct research 

to develop new methods for 

resolving these confl icts.

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The turkey vulture is the larger, 

weighing about 4 pounds with 

a 6-foot wingspan. Mostly dark 

brown-black, the adult’s featherless, 

bright red head is distinctive. The 

black vulture weighs less than 4 

pounds with a wingspan of less than 

5 feet. It is mostly black. 
Damage to nearby vehicles includes scratched paint, 

removal of rubber seals and wipers, and the ripping of 

vinyl seat covers from boats and tractors. 

Black and turkey vultures can affect people’s quality of life due to accumulations of feces and regurgitations, especially on roofs of houses, offi ce buildings, 

communication towers, and electrical transmission 

structures. Where these accumulations occur on electrical transmission towers, arcing and power outages 

may occur, at great expense to utility companies.

Agricultural Damage—Both turkey and black vultures 

normally eat carrion. Black vultures, however, also 

may attack and kill calves, lambs, piglets, and other 

weak animals. This predatory behavior often results in 

serious injury to livestock, as vultures target the eyes 

and soft membranous tissues. These domestic animals 

often must be euthanized due to the extent of their 

injuries.

Health and Safety Concerns—Health and safety concerns relate to the accumulations of guano (manure) 

and their roosting and soaring behaviors. Droppings 

near homes and drinking water sources may pose 

health concerns for individuals and municipalities. 

Many people view the white-wash effect of their droppings and associated ammonia odors as offensive. 

Concentrations of vultures can also be hazardous 

to aircraft, especially when close to airport fl ight paths. 

Vultures are particularly prone to strikes because their 

soaring behavior increases the chances of being struck 

by low-fl ying aircraft.

Management Assistance

Vultures are migratory birds protected by the Migrtory 

Bird Treaty Act, State laws, and regulations. They are 

managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish 

and Wildlife Service and by State wildlife agencies. 

The birds, their nests, and eggs cannot be killed or 

destroyed without a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit. Individual States and localities may impose further 

restrictions on vulture management. WS State offi ces 

may be consulted for more specifi c local information.

WS provides advice and direct management to help 

people resolve vulture confl icts. Vulture management 

is complicated and site-specifi c, so consultation with 

wildlife professionals is vital to successfully resolving 

damage situations. 

Technical assistance may include information about 

habitat management or strategies and tools for dispersing vultures from areas where confl icts occur. WS biologists also assist by documenting vulture damage and 

starting the depredation permit application process. 

In some cases, WS may enter into cooperative service 

agreements to resolve these confl icts in the fi eld.

WS biologists can assist in evaluating damage situations and identifying possible resolution techniques. 

Sound- and light-devices may be used to disperse the 

vultures, especially at the roost location as birds return 

to settle for the night. A vulture effi gy hung correctly 

may scatter a roost in many instances. Obvious attractants, such as open garbage, can be removed or 

enclosed. In some situations, lethal removal of birds 

may be required to resolve damage effectively. 

Vultures are adaptable and exhibit complex 

behavior. These traits—combined with increasing 

populations—lead to a wide range of confl icts.

Vulture management is complicated and site-specifi c, so 

consultation with wildlife professionals is vital to successfully 

resolving damage situations.
Science-Based Solutions

WS’ National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) conducts research on a wide variety of wildlife damage issues. Scientists at the NWRC Florida fi eld station conduct studies to better understand vulture ecology and 

behavior, and to develop strategies to help minimize 

property damage, protect agriculture, and to relieve 

health and safety concerns caused by these vultures.

Additional Information

For more information about managing vulture 

damage, or other WS operations, contact the local offi ce at 1-866-4USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297) or visit the 

Website 

www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/.

Integrated techniques for 

resolving confl icts with 

vultures may include use 

of real or constructed 

effi gies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

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United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service