Turkey Vultures are large, dark scavengers that play an important role in the ecosystem. While generally harmless, their presence on property can quickly become a nuisance, leading to damage and sanitation issues. Dealing with their communal roosts, which can involve dozens of birds, requires understanding the factors that attract them and implementing targeted, legal deterrence strategies.
Understanding Why Turkey Vultures Are Present
Turkey Vultures are drawn to specific locations based on the availability of resources, primarily food and secure roosting sites. They have an exceptional sense of smell, which they use to detect the gases produced by decaying animal matter (carrion). This unique sensory tool allows them to locate food hidden beneath dense forest canopies or other obstacles.
The vultures return nightly to established communal roosts, often including tall, dead trees, communication towers, or high rooftops. These elevated positions offer an unobstructed view, helping them spot food sources and feel safe from predators. Removing or altering these primary attractants is the first and most effective step in discouraging their presence.
Legal and Safety Considerations
The immediate concern for property owners is the vultures’ protected legal status. Turkey Vultures are safeguarded by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), a federal law that prohibits the taking, killing, or possessing of the birds, their nests, or their eggs without a special permit. Homeowners cannot legally trap, shoot, or intentionally harm the birds.
While vultures pose virtually no threat to humans or pets, they create significant property hazards. Communal roosts cause a buildup of feces and regurgitation, resulting in a strong, unpleasant odor. The highly acidic excrement can corrode paint, damage roofing materials, and kill landscaping. Furthermore, their sharp talons and beaks can tear into rubber roof liners and seals, resulting in structural damage to homes and vehicles.
Active Methods for Deterrence and Removal
Successful vulture deterrence relies on a multi-sensory and persistent approach, as the birds are intelligent and quickly habituate to single-method techniques. One effective visual deterrent is the use of an inverted or “dead” vulture effigy, which mimics a deceased flock member and triggers a strong avoidance reaction. These effigies should be suspended by the feet in the problem area, and their use may require consultation with wildlife agencies.
Other visual tools can disrupt their comfort and landing ability. These include installing bird spikes or taut, stainless-steel wires along rooflines and ledges. The wire should be tensioned approximately eight inches above the surface to prevent the birds from landing comfortably. Reflective tape, Mylar balloons, or other shiny objects can also be placed near roosts to create unpredictable flashes of light, discouraging settling.
Auditory deterrents are most effective when used intermittently to prevent the birds from growing accustomed to the sound. Recorded distress calls can be broadcast for short periods, maximizing effectiveness when played continually during the half-hour before dark as vultures arrive to roost. For night-time dispersal, red lasers used safely and legally can successfully scatter roosting flocks.
Physical exclusion methods are often the only permanent solution for preventing roosting in unwanted areas. Wide-mesh netting or overhead grid wire systems can be installed to physically block access to large flat areas like open rooftops or courtyards. For trees used as communal roosts, selective pruning of dead, tall limbs can remove the most appealing perches, forcing the flock to seek a new location.
When to Seek Professional Assistance
If a large, established flock is causing significant damage or has become habituated to DIY efforts, professional intervention is necessary. Homeowners should contact the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services for technical assistance. These specialists can assess the severity of the conflict and recommend an integrated management plan tailored to the specific property.
In extreme cases where non-lethal methods fail, Wildlife Services can assist with obtaining a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This federal permit is mandatory for any management action involving the legal take, lethal removal, or use of hazing techniques that could potentially injure the protected birds. Consulting with these agencies ensures all actions remain compliant with federal law.