Black vultures increasing in population in Missouri
Black vultures are increasing in population and their aggressive nature can cause problems for livestock producers in Missouri.
Unlike the less-aggressive turkey vulture, black vultures are known to gang up and prey on newborn livestock. They sometimes attack cows that are ill or giving birth. While they feed on dead animals, they can kill small to medium sized animals.
Black vultures leave characteristic evidence of their depredation.
They can inflict damage to livestock by plucking out eyes, disemboweling, or eating tongues of newborn and sick animals.
Black vultures and turkey vultures look alike but, in most cases, the turkey vulture has a pink featherless head and bill, while most black vultures have black head and black bills.
Find additional information on black vulture control at agriculture.mo.gov/