CORALINE 

Species: Cathartes aura, Turkey Vulture   •   Hatch Year: 2019/2020    •   Sex: Female   •   Disability: Left & Right Wing Injury

Coraline was found on the ground near Dollywood by a good Samaritan the spring of 2020. She was brought to American Eagle Foundation for rehabilitation. She was extremely emaciated and after undergoing x-rays it was discovered that Coraline had an old, healed fracture in her left humerus. It was also discovered that she had been shot four times – twice in the left wing, once in the right wing and once in the left leg. Coraline never regained full flight capabilities and was deemed non-releasable. She has found her permanent home here with us at American Eagle Foundation. Upon her arrival, Coraline still had some black coloration on the tip of her beak, which is characteristic of younger turkey vultures. We believe she may have hatched in 2019 or 2020. Coraline can be a bit shy at first, but once she gets to know new people, she is the gentlest bird. Her favorite activities include preening, sunning with her wings outspread, and hanging out on top of the refrigerator while her humans prepare her food.

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

Vultures often build their nests on the ground, and as one of the most intelligent and curious raptors in America, chicks like to explore their surroundings. Vultures can be found hovering above farmlands, forests, plains, and roadways searching and scavenging for dead animals (and sometimes vegetation) to dine on. Many people think that Vultures are ugly, but they are actually very beautiful and graceful when soaring through the sky!

Vultures do not have a voice box like other raptors. A hissing or grunting sound is the only vocal noise a vulture will make. In addition to hissing, a vulture will sometimes throw up on a potential threat, a defense mechanism called ‘projectile vomiting.’