They young are fed regurgitated food by both parents. Age at first flight is between eight and ten weeks. Black Vultures are more aggressive than Turkey Vultures and may take small animals alive and often will drive the Turkey Vultures away from a carcass. Vultures are protected by state and federal laws. The harassment these birds receive is unjustified.
Vultures serve a useful purpose as flying garbage disposals.
Black Vultures often tag behind Turkey Vultures, relying on their cousin's better sense of smell to help find food. Since vultures usually do not hunt, they have weaker legs and feet and duller talons and beaks than other raptors. Vultures are voiceless and can utter only weak hissing sounds. Legend has it that in the earliest of times the sun lived very close to the earth making it almost unbearable. The vulture was the most beautiful and powerful of birds-its head covered with rich feathers that all other birds envied.