Vultures and gulls are scavengers and have a role in removing carrion from the ecosystem. 

A Turkey Vulture is eating what appears to be a dead Herring Gull on the Ocracoke beach.

Photo: P. Vankevich

An immature Great Black-backed Gull watches and waits patiently.

Photo: P. Vankevich

When the vulture flew off, the gull took over.

Photographed Feb. 19 by Peter Vankevich.

2 COMMENTS

    • I have seen more Turkey Vultures on Ocracoke this winter than in the past, including six eating a dead bottlenose dolphin last week.

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