Updated April 29, 2008
 
VULTURES WITH YELLOW OR WHITE WING TAGS
 
The USDA/APHIS/WS/National Wildlife Research Center is conducting research evaluating the movements of YELLOW or WHITE wing-tagged vultures. Each tagged bird has a cattle ear tag in its RIGHT wing and each tag has a letter and number (ie. F47 or C20) or a series of 3 letters (ie. AMJ) that may also be visible from below while the birds soar. The yellow tagged birds were marked and released in North Florida and the white tagged birds were marked and released in Virginia and Florida.

To report a sighting:
    Send the location of the sighting, tag number, species, and any pertinent behavioral or other information to:

• By email: John.S.Humphrey@aphis.usda.gov
• By phone: (352) 375-2229
• By snail mail:
  John S. Humphrey, Wildlife Biologist
  USDA/APHIS/WS/National Wildlife Research Center
  2820 E. University Ave.
  Gainesville, FL 32641

Any information of recoveries of tagged birds should be sent to the USFWS Bird Banding Lab in Maryland.

Press Release
 
WANTED:  VULTURE SIGHTINGS
 
The USDA, National Wildlife Research Center's Florida Field Station in Gainesville is conducting a movement study on Black and Turkey Vultures and would like your help. The birds we are studying are marked with an orange, white, or yellow patagial tag attached to their RIGHT wing.
 
The tags are marked with an ID number consisting of a letter "A", "F", or "H" followed by a two numbered sequence. In most instances, the tag can only be seen while the bird is perching, although, some also have smaller tags under their wing that can be seen while the bird is soaring.
 
We would greatly appreciate your help in reporting any sightings of these birds. Information regarding the color, letter and/or number on the tag, the wing the tag was on, and the location and date that the bird was seen, will be helpful. Please report sightings to our office at (352)375-2229 or e-mail us at dwrc-ffs@afn.org.
 
Arlene McGrane
Wildlife Technician
 
USDA/APHIS/WS/National Wildlife Research Ctr.-FL
Gainesville, FL 32641
 

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