GEORGE

Species: Cathartes aura, Turkey Vulture   •   Hatch Year: 1985    •   Sex: Male   •   Disability: Human Imprint

George was found in 1985 wandering alone after both of his parents were killed. He was rescued and taken to the Memphis Zoo, but because he imprinted on the humans who cared for him, he could not be released into the wild. George now has a permanent home at the American Eagle Foundation and is one of our oldest residents, having hatched in 1985. After several years of primarily residing at AEF headquarters, George spent time in the spotlight as a frequent star of AEF’s Wings of America birds of prey show at Dollywood, where he enjoyed showing off his impressive 5 to 6 foot wingspan on stage. George has quite a reputation as a “landshark,” meaning he loves to casually walk by and then suddenly try to grab an ankle. George cannot fly, which allows him to go on supervised adventures around the grounds, the museum, and even the office, always keeping staff on their toes. 

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

Vultures often build their nests on the ground, and as one of the most intelligent and curious raptors in America, chicks like to explore their surroundings. Vultures can be found hovering above farmlands, forests, plains, and roadways searching and scavenging for dead animals (and sometimes vegetation) to dine on. Many people think that Vultures are ugly, but they are actually very beautiful and graceful when soaring through the sky!

Vultures do not have a voice box like other raptors. A hissing or grunting sound is the only vocal noise a vulture will make. In addition to hissing, a vulture will sometimes throw up on a potential threat, a defense mechanism called ‘projectile vomiting.’