Turkey Vultures gather round dead penguin, Volunteer Point, Falklands
Volunteer Point, East Falkland, The Falkland Islands (Malvinas) (December 2018)
This image was taken during the Fabulous Falklands trip organised by Natures Images in association with Falkland Islands Holidays and led by Mark Sisson. A day-trip to Volunteer Point requires about a 2-hour drive from Stanley by 4x4 vehicle of which approximately 1 hour is off-road. It is possible to stay at the Warden's House (Volunteer Shanty) overnight for photography at sunset and sunrise.
Turkey Vultures are scavengers and feed mostly on carrion. It therefore seems unlikely that the penguin was killed by the vulture. Perhaps it died of natural causes and then was found by the vulture. The penguins at Volunteer Point are subject to predation by a male South American Sea Lion patrolling the beach but any successful kills are taken out to sea to be consumed. The remains are then scavenged by Giant Petrels at sea before being washed ashore to be picked over by Turkey Vultures and Kelp Gulls.
Status is classified as Least Concern. For more information on this bird species see the following links:
Turkey vulture / Wikipedia
Turkey Vulture / Bird Forum
BirdLife International / Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology / Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Shooting Time 15:29
Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/1000
Av(Aperture Value) 8.0
Exposure Compensation -1
ISO Speed 200
Latitude 51 28 43.3 S
Longitude 57 49 59.7 W
Altitude -17.90m
This image was taken during the Fabulous Falklands trip organised by Natures Images in association with Falkland Islands Holidays and led by Mark Sisson. A day-trip to Volunteer Point requires about a 2-hour drive from Stanley by 4x4 vehicle of which approximately 1 hour is off-road. It is possible to stay at the Warden's House (Volunteer Shanty) overnight for photography at sunset and sunrise.
Turkey Vultures are scavengers and feed mostly on carrion. It therefore seems unlikely that the penguin was killed by the vulture. Perhaps it died of natural causes and then was found by the vulture. The penguins at Volunteer Point are subject to predation by a male South American Sea Lion patrolling the beach but any successful kills are taken out to sea to be consumed. The remains are then scavenged by Giant Petrels at sea before being washed ashore to be picked over by Turkey Vultures and Kelp Gulls.
Status is classified as Least Concern. For more information on this bird species see the following links:
Turkey vulture / Wikipedia
Turkey Vulture / Bird Forum
BirdLife International / Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology / Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Shooting Time 15:29
Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/1000
Av(Aperture Value) 8.0
Exposure Compensation -1
ISO Speed 200
Latitude 51 28 43.3 S
Longitude 57 49 59.7 W
Altitude -17.90m
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