A question from a non-birder; help requested!
Outdoor Ontario

A question from a non-birder; help requested!

schmadrian

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One evening this week, just prior to dusk, I was walking down Lake Avenue in Stoney Creek.
Some birds caught my eye about seventy-five to a hundred feet above.
They were big. That is, at least as big as crows. And they were soaring. Not heading anywhere...just circling.
The thing is, my eye was caught by about six of them.
'That's strange,' I thought.
Then I kept counting as more came in from the north.
Eight.
Twelve.
Sixteen...twenty...twenty-five...thirty...
Looking up at them, I could see their broad wings were half gold, half black.
That they had small heads.
Additionally, they were silent.
I stood there for ten minutes, gazing up. (I had to move at one point, because I'd stopped on the sidewalk in the middle of someone's driveway!)
And wishing I'd brought my camera along.

Do you have any idea what these were?
I'm no birder, but I notice nature; these were unlike any birds I've ever seen before. Anywhere. (And I've spent lots of my life in Virginia and England.)

Whatever light you could shine would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by schmadrian »


BIGFRANK

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Sounds like Turkey Vultures. They are migrating back to Ontario this time of year. Close to 5000 have now been counted at the spring raptor watch in Grimsby Ontario,at Beamer Memorial Park.  Your description of them is excellent,they measure about 27inches in length and have about a 69inch wingspan.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by BIGFRANK »


schmadrian

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Thanks!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by schmadrian »


niani.gil

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Turkey vultures to me too. But the size is a bit odd.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by niani.gil »


Cody

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The birds were probably Turkey Vultures looking for a place to roost for the night.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Cody »