Over the past weekend, news quickly spread among bird enthusiasts in Yukon, causing Cameron Eckert to embark on a five-hour journey from Whitehorse to Mayo after hearing about a rare sighting. Eckert, the president of the Yukon Bird Club, was intrigued by the prospect of seeing a black vulture, a species not commonly found in Canada and even rarer in the northern regions like Mayo.
Accompanied by fellow birders, Eckert made his way to Mayo where they easily located the black vulture in the town center. The bird, larger than ravens with distinctive black plumage and a bare black head, was observed engaging in typical vulture behaviors, such as scavenging for carrion.
Residents of Mayo, like Dennis Peter, have been captivated by the unusual visitor, with sightings becoming a hot topic in town. Peter, not a bird enthusiast himself, has taken to feeding the vulture with scraps of chicken and moose meat, hoping to support its stay in the area. The bird, believed to be a juvenile based on its plumage, may have strayed off course due to its wandering nature.
Despite the bird’s current presence in Mayo, concerns arise about its ability to survive the upcoming sub-Arctic winter. With its limited tolerance for cold temperatures, the black vulture is not suited for the harsh Yukon climate in the long term. Eckert and locals hope that the bird will eventually find its way back to a more suitable habitat, as its chances of survival in Mayo during winter are slim.
As the community rallies behind the black vulture, there is a collective desire to see it safely return to its natural habitat. Some residents have even given the bird nicknames like “Ted” or “Baldy,” reflecting the fondness and concern felt for their unexpected avian visitor.
