What do ravens, vultures and eagles have in common? They are all scavengers.
Two of them — vultures and eagles — are raptors, which means they have sharp talons, great eyesight, a hooked beak and they eat meat. They are also amazing hunters.
Although ravens are corvids and not considered raptors, they fly like eagles and vultures do, soaring with open wings, according to Maine Audubon. A group of ravens is called an unkindness. The corvids group also includes crows, which group in a murder.
There is a hunting season for crows in Maine, but not on ravens, vultures or eagles.
Maine has both bald eagles and golden eagles, which are the only two species native to North America, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Bald eagles are a species of special concern and golden eagles are an endangered species under state law. A federal law protects them both.
Turkey vultures are widespread across the state, and black vultures can be found more sporadically, according to the MDIF&W. The first breeding turkey vultures were found in 1970.
The ravens, vultures and eagles in this video footage taken by Allie Ladd, a frequent contributor to BDN, are eating what is left of a dead beaver. The joys of being a scavenger!
Do you have a photo or video to share from the great outdoors? Send it to outdoors@bangordailynews.com and tell us, “I consent to the BDN using my photo.” If you are unable to view the photo or video mentioned in this story, go to bangordailynews.com/outdoors.