Was This Turkey Vulture Defecated On

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.

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

By Steve Creek|2023-01-31T07:25:53-06:00January 28, 2021|Categories: Birds|Tags: birds, oklahoma, sequoyah national wildlife refuge|

About the Author: Steve Creek

I’m Steve Creek, an Arkansas-based wildlife photographer known for my extraordinary ability to capture the essence of the natural world. My keen eye for detail and composition results in stunning images of birds, deer, foxes, raccoons, and more. What sets me apart is my commitment to storytelling through my photos, revealing the behavior and environment of these creatures. I’m also a dedicated advocate for wildlife conservation, using my images to inspire others to protect our precious natural resources. As a blogger, I love sharing valuable tips for aspiring wildlife photographers.