A Vulture getting Ready to Fly

   I was so lucky to be able to witness the Birds of Prey Flying Exhibition.  This vulture just hopped out of dog kennel cage and ran after it's handler, waiting for directions. The handler signals by pointing to this perch, and the bird flew there.  It was rewarded.  This is an example of mantling, the bird is protecting it's food so another can't swoop in and take it away.  Notice the fine wire coming out the back of the bird, it is a radio transmitter that tracks the bird.  This bird can't be turned out in the wild because there is a reason it wouldn't survive.  The tracker keeps it safe for retrieval in the event it should get loose.  Every effort is made to return the birds to the wild.
   The extras are pictures of the same bird following singles and executing a requested behavior.  After the demonstration was over, the handler pointed to the kennel, the bird ran in and she threw in some meat, closed the door, picked up the cage and walked away with the bird.