By JACKIE TAYLOR | August 13, 2025

A black vulture was reported seen near 950 and Read Roads on the Marty and Beverly Read property. Marty Read reached out to the Linn County News to alert local livestock producers that the aggressive birds are in the area. Black vultures have black heads to differentiate them from turkey buzzards that have red heads.

KCUR.org reported, “Black vultures have a reputation for killing newborn livestock, which can be a problem for ranchers in the Great Plains and Midwest. Legislation efforts aim to remove permit requirements for farmers to shoot or capture the birds. 

Agriculture.org.mo reported, “Black vultures are increasing in population and their aggressive nature can cause problems for livestock producers in Missouri. Unlike the less-aggressive turkey vulture, black vultures are known to gang up and prey on newborn livestock. They sometimes attack cows that are ill or giving birth. While they feed on dead animals, they can kill small to medium sized animals.

“Black vultures leave characteristic evidence of their depredation. They can inflict damage to livestock by plucking out eyes, disemboweling, or eating tongues of newborn and sick animals.”

KCUR.org’s story continued, “A group of Republican senators have introduced a bill that seeks to give farmers more control to kill black vultures threatening their livestock.

“Black vultures can prey on newborn livestock, like calves and piglets, causing stress for farmers. Because the vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, farmers need federal permission to kill or capture the birds.

“The Black Vulture Relief Act, if passed, would remove that requirement. Farmers would still have to report the number of birds they take to the Fish and Wildlife Services so the agency can continue monitoring vulture populations. And it would continue to prohibit the use of poison to kill the birds.”

The act, Introduced in Senate May 20, 2025 is called the “Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025.

“This bill allows livestock producers and their employees to take certain actions against black vultures to protect livestock. (Black vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.)

“Specifically, livestock producers and their employees may (1) take (i.e., capture, kill or disperse, or transport the carcass of) a black vulture that they reasonably believe will cause death, injury or destruction to livestock; or (2) in the course of taking or attempting to take the black vulture, cause injury to the bird. However, they may not take or attempt to take a black vulture through the use of poison.

“Livestock producers and their employees must submit an annual report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on black vultures taken under this bill. The FWS must develop a reporting form and make this reporting form available on its website.

“Currently, the FWS has a permit process under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the taking of black vultures.”