Ms. Feiss probably doesn't realize the nuance of her opening, "My
partner in crime...", for several hundred Turkey Vultures indeed have a
winter roost on the terraced roof of the Dade County (Miami) courthouse!
This population, which has wintered there for decades, is reputed to
have been brought by the notorious gangster Al Capone, who had a home on
nearby Star Island in the 1920's. Another legend is that these are the
very birds that return each year to Hinckley, Ohio, on the same date,
for which there is a jolly local celebration festival often covered on
national TV.

Undoubtedly these birds are attracted by the updrafts of the tradewinds
off the buildings and date back to a time when the Dade Co. courthouse
was the tallest structure for more than a hundred miles. They mostly
feed at the nearby landfill affectionately known as 'Mt. Trashmore',
which may be the highest 'mountain' in southern Florida.

In southern Florida, Black Vultures, like American Crows, are mainly
confined to 'wild' areas and are not ordinarily found in urban settings.
---------------------------------------------------------------
P W (Bill) Smith (x-Floridian) NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS
Grays Harbor, Washington USA |
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