I’m wondering if another Turkey Vulture defecated on this bird.

I read some Turkey Vultures will defecate on their legs when they get too warm in the summer months. They call this urohidrosis, and it accomplishes two things: it cools the skin on the legs and it “sterilizes” the skin against bacteria because the pH is so acidic.

Turkey Vulture Defecated On
Turkey Vulture Defecated On

I was walking one of the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge service roads when I spotted this Turkey Vulture. I was hand-holding my camera and lens.

Gear:

  • Camera: Canon EOS 7D
  • Lens: Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS

Technical:

  • Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
  • Date & Time Taken: January 17, 2013 (10:42 A.M.)
  • Aperture Priority
  • Aperture: f5.6
  • Shutter speed: 1/1600 sec. (as determined by the camera)
  • ISO: 320
  • White Balance: Auto
  • Metering Mode: Evaluative
  • Exposure Compensation: 0
  • Back-button Focus
  • Single Point Continuous Auto Focus
  • Focal Length: 500 mm
  • Processed With Luminar 4