Turkey Vultures are not the most charming harbinger of spring, but are a vital part in nature's clean-up crew. In a matter of days, they can reduce a decaying body to clean a pile of skin and bones - an especially important service in the desert, where decomposition can be an extremely slow process.
Learn more about how Turkey Vulture's seemingly gross characteristics allow them to perform their role as our desert purifiers on this week's episode of Nature Notes.