Climate change fuels vulture surge, leaving cattle farmers with no refuge

U.S. cattle farmers are confronting an escalating threat from black vultures, a protected species rapidly expanding its range northward due to climate change and human activity. The birds, once confined to the southeastern U.S. and Latin America, are now preying on calves and disrupting agricultural operations, with farmers struggling to adapt to the growing menace. Andrew Farnsworth, a visiting scientist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, explained that warmer winters and habitat changes have enabled black vultures to thrive in regions that were previously too cold for them. "They're very good at taking advantage of food resources and remembering where those things are," he said, noting that roadkill, cattle farms, and suburban development have enriched their foraging opportunities, according to an AP News report.

The vultures' non-migratory behavior exacerbates the problem. Unlike many bird species that seasonally migrate, black vultures breed in new territories and establish permanent populations. This has left farmers like Tom Karr of Pomeroy, Ohio, with no refuge. A decade ago, Karr lost a calf to a vulture attack and shifted his calving schedule to later in the year, only to find the birds remained year-round. "They just basically eat them alive," Karr said, describing the vultures' relentless presence. Joanie Grimes, a farmer in Hillsboro, Ohio, has similarly adjusted her operations, keeping newborn calves near barns until they're a few days old to minimize exposure. "We've been dealing with the birds for 15 years, but keeping them out of remote fields has helped improve matters," she added, the AP reported.

The expansion of black vultures is tied to broader environmental shifts. Climate change has reduced the severity of winter cold snaps, allowing the birds to colonize northern states. Simultaneously, human development has created an "abundance of easy meals," according to Farnsworth. Roadkill from suburban sprawl and the predictable calving cycles of cattle farms provide reliable food sources. The vultures' intelligence and social learning further compound the issue, as flocks share knowledge of productive foraging areas.

Farmers are adopting creative strategies to deter the birds. Annette Ericksen of Twin Maples Farm in Milton, West Virginia, reported no losses to vultures but has monitored their presence for years. Meanwhile, makeshift vulture effigies and strategic grazing practices are being tested in some regions. However, these measures offer only partial relief. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which protects black vultures, complicates efforts to cull populations, leaving farmers reliant on non-lethal deterrents.

The situation highlights the unintended consequences of climate-driven ecological shifts. As black vultures continue their northward migration, U.S. cattle operations face mounting pressure to innovate in their coexistence strategies. Experts warn that without systemic solutions-such as targeted habitat management or policy adjustments-conflicts between farmers and this adaptable predator are likely to intensify.