This is bird note.

The zone-tailed hawk of the American Southwest looks a lot like a turkey vulture.

It's dark all over, has a long tail and sores on long upward angled wings while tilting

from side to side.

And this is where it gets intriguing.

Zone-tailed hawks often soar among groups of turkey vultures.

There's a crucial distinction between the two, especially if you happen to be a dove

or lizard exposed on the terrain below.

While the vultures are searching for carrion, the zone-tailed hawk in their midst is hunting

live prey.

By consorting with vultures, a zone-tailed hawk gains a distinct advantage as a predator.

Because while doves and lizards would quickly flee the flight silhouette of a red-tailed hawk,

they seem to ignore the shadow of a vulture overhead, a bird that poses no threat.

So, floating among the vultures, a zone-tailed hawk is a sort of wolf in sheep's clothing

and can sneak up on its prey undetected.

Just how zone-tailed hawks developed this relationship with turkey vultures isn't clear.

But we do know that zone-tails occur only within the geographic range of vultures, and

they don't just soar with them.

They also nest and roost near their scavenging accomplices.

For Bird Note, I'm Michael Stein.

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