Sun-Dried Vulture

Turkey Vulture

One morning last week I observed this Turkey Vulture perched in the sun with its wings spread. Several species of birds engage in wing-drying as the Turkey Vulture is doing in this photo. Cormorants, Anhingas, storks, pelicans and vultures all exhibit this trait. Birds spread their wings like this for two main reasons. The first reason is to dry their wet feathers. There was a heavy dew that morning, and I suspect this vulture may have become covered in dew while roosting in that tree overnight. Second, they spread their wings in the sun for purposes of thermoregulation. That is, they can increase their internal body temperature by standing with their backs to the sun and spreading their wings. So, this wing-spread vulture was merely warming up and drying off in preparation for his day. I guess I do that myself by toweling off after my shower and then drinking a hot cup of coffee. Each species to his own.