Turkey vultures are common in the skies over our region.

But little is known about their movements and migration because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prohibits leg banding on this species, note researchers at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, located along a raptor migratory route north of Reading.

So Hawk Mountain scientists have “wing-tagged” some of the birds with large, brightly-colored and numbered tags that do not harm the birds and are easy to spot. Now, they’re hoping citizen scientists in the area will keep a sharp eye out for any tagged turkey vultures and report the findings.

Hawk Mountain officials expect that some of the birds will stay in southeastern Pennsylvania. An earlier study using satellite telemetry devices showed that Pennsylvania vultures migrated to central Florida.

Those who see a wing-tagged vulture are asked to contact Hawk Mountain and report the day, time of sighting, location, and if possible, the number on the tag and the tag’s color. Calls should be directed to Dr. Keith Bildstein at 570-943-3411 x108 or via email at bildstein@hawkmtn.org. In addition to helping with the project, those who report a sighting also will receive a report of findings.

In the spring of 2003, scientists began another,more high-tech effort to follow turkey vultures. By now, they have placed tiny satellite tags on 21 birds.  Five of the birds also had data loggers surgically implanted in their body cavities to record core body temperature and heart rate.

To follow the tagged birds online, click here.