So, I learned something new in the Everglades
#1
So, I learned something new in the Everglades
Apparently, the vultures that hang around in the parking lot of the trailheads like to eat rubber seals on cars. In our case, they ate the seal across the top of the windshield on my XK convertible while we were out hiking.
We thought that the tarps on peoples cars were to stop the bird poop, but that was not the main reason.
So, the poop I can deal with.
The seal, not so much. I am not amused.
Does anyone know the part number for the seal where the convertible top meets the windshield?
We thought that the tarps on peoples cars were to stop the bird poop, but that was not the main reason.
So, the poop I can deal with.
The seal, not so much. I am not amused.
Does anyone know the part number for the seal where the convertible top meets the windshield?
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Cee Jay (01-11-2021)
#6
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peterv8 (01-12-2021),
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#7
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#8
#9
That is bizarre, I have lived here my entire life and never seen anything like that!!! For the OP sorry your car took damage, if the birds congregated like the van in the video did they scratch up the paint also.
Thank God that the Vultures around the rest of the state haven't figured out that window seals seem to be tasty. We have vultures everywhere, they perform a great service cleaning up the roadkill, but stay away from my car dammit.
A google search came up with the fact that this has happened in other areas also, not exclusive to the Everglades buzzard community. This is a notice in the Lake Monroe in Indiana.
Black Vultures and Vehicle Damage (in.gov)
Thank God that the Vultures around the rest of the state haven't figured out that window seals seem to be tasty. We have vultures everywhere, they perform a great service cleaning up the roadkill, but stay away from my car dammit.
A google search came up with the fact that this has happened in other areas also, not exclusive to the Everglades buzzard community. This is a notice in the Lake Monroe in Indiana.
Black Vultures and Vehicle Damage (in.gov)
#10
#12
Caught in the act! Note the warning sign at the beginning of the video.
https://youtu.be/1DFfYYwymHA
https://youtu.be/1DFfYYwymHA
Yes!!! That is the exact place!
I was out hiking for about 1 1/2 hours, we came back to the gift shop and I saw the little bitty sign right outside the gift shop that said they might eat the seals on your car. I also saw that someone had put a tarp on my car, presumably because the birds were already damaging my car. We went out hiking again for another hour, when I got back, the tarp was on the ground, there was a vulture on my car, and the damage was done. Plus vulture poop also.
Seems to me that if they are aware that his kind of damage can be done, they need better signage, or better yet, chase them away and don't let them hang around the parking area.
Also, the big sign that says "vultures may damage cars" (which I didn't see), doesn't really help. I thought at worst that meant they might poop on your car.
Last edited by 110reef; 01-12-2021 at 07:34 AM.
#13
Thanks.
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110reef (01-12-2021)
#14
Caught in the act! Note the warning sign at the beginning of the video.
https://youtu.be/1DFfYYwymHA
https://youtu.be/1DFfYYwymHA
#16
A lot of people think that because alligators usually walk slowly on land that they are slow. Not so. Alligators can move very quickly in short bursts - about 20 to 25 feet. So people get stupidly close to them to take selfies or videos.
People think "no problem." Alligator thinks "lunch." Helping improve the gene pool I guess... Below video is kind of long, so watch from about 4:00 on. Love it when the guy says "crocodiles, or whatever they call them down here."
People think "no problem." Alligator thinks "lunch." Helping improve the gene pool I guess... Below video is kind of long, so watch from about 4:00 on. Love it when the guy says "crocodiles, or whatever they call them down here."
Last edited by Bill Mack; 01-12-2021 at 09:32 AM.
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110reef (01-12-2021)
#17
And, yes there was a nice 8ft alligator next to the path. My wife thought it was a tire at first! We are from Louisiana so alligators are no big deal to us. There also was a snake crossing the road as we were driving. Don't know what kind, but I tried to miss it. I think I succeeded because it didn't roll up after passing over it so I assume it was OK. We also saw a soft shelled snapping turtle, a bald eagle, and purple gallinules. That was pretty much it for the wildlife, but it is the middle of winter. Oh, and lots of stupid vultures.
And they have alligators in the Everglades, but also American crocodiles, though they are rare. I have never seen a crocodile.
Last edited by 110reef; 01-12-2021 at 09:43 AM.
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#18
Although I don’t think it would apply here as the vultures likely call the Everglades home (and would likely violate the act that protects them), in urban areas to manage crow populations they have used Falconry to ‘herd’ the crows out of areas to prevent damage. (I also can’t say that a falcon would scare a vulture, since the latter is a bit bigger...)
Trained falcons don’t kill the crows either, but it works. I guess the park could have a falcon patrol the parking lot.
Trained falcons don’t kill the crows either, but it works. I guess the park could have a falcon patrol the parking lot.
#19
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#20
Sounds like it could be a good Farmers Insurance commercial; Vulture Culture.
Sorry to make light of this. Sucks that deductible does not make sense for claim. Got me thinking if something like this is covered under car insurance policy I have.
Maybe take that annual donation to "save the vultures" and put towards a new seal... and deduct it on your taxes anyway.
Sorry to make light of this. Sucks that deductible does not make sense for claim. Got me thinking if something like this is covered under car insurance policy I have.
Maybe take that annual donation to "save the vultures" and put towards a new seal... and deduct it on your taxes anyway.