Turkey Vulture and Olive Branch

The olive branch is a symbol of peace. In my unpopular opinion, I see the vulture as a symbol of peace. The scientific name for the Turkey Vulture is 'Cathartes aura' which can be translated to 'Cleansing breeze'! These guys do the dirty work that we don't want to do; clean up carrion (or dead animals). These scavengers are designed in a way where the exposed skin on the head prevents their meal from adhering, their beaks are powerful enough to tear through tough hide, they possess the largest olfactory (smelling) system of all birds and can find fresh dead meat over a mile away , and their stomaches carry an acid that is so corrosive that they can consume infected carcasses that would be lethal to any other creature. These vultures are equipped to protect the environment from terrible diseases that could be caused from rotting organisms. Next time you see a Turkey Vulture, thank them for doing the dirty work and maintaining peace in the World! Without these guys, we could be living in a zombie apocalypse.