Can anyone identify these birds?

Carrie
by Carrie
Living in Maryland most birds go "south" during the cold winter months, EXCEPT these very LARGE birds that perch themselves on bare tree branches. To read more go to my blog: http://nineeastmainstreet.blogspot.com/2014/01/snow-birds.html
With 6 inches of snow seen here on our backyard fence, I'm wondering why any birds would still be seen around...
  12 answers
  • Vultures? We live in Northern VA and see them often, sometimes up close near road kill.
  • Carrie Carrie on Jan 05, 2014
    Yes, I think you're right with some answers coming in on my blog. Hardy birds to weather the cold here!
  • Barbara Miller Barbara Miller on Jan 05, 2014
    possibly turkey or raven?
  • Van Randall Van Randall on Jan 05, 2014
    Hard to tell by the photo but I would guess Ravens.
    • See 2 previous
    • Carrie Carrie on Jan 07, 2014
      @Nancy J - I didn't know that! These just may NOT be buzzards then! Thank you for your response.
  • Joanne Joanne on Jan 07, 2014
    I'd say some type of vulture! I had a flock of over 75 of them one fall when they were flying south. They were perched in a large cottonwood tree for hours.
  • Jo Goughnour Roof Jo Goughnour Roof on Jan 07, 2014
    Yes, vultures. If you can see them closer you will notice they do not have feathers on their necks. Crinkly skin instead. I am from Iowa and we have them here too. I think they live all over the U.S.
  • Sue Rauch Sue Rauch on Jan 07, 2014
    they look like what we call starlings(sp) in Ohio blackish large birds and have a blueish sheen on their heads.
  • Bingle Bingle on Jan 07, 2014
    they are way too small to be turkey vultures. there are also too many. although turkey vultures travel in groups it's of 5-10, not that many. Without a closer picture I would guess starlings. not a single person in the world can positively identify any bird from this far away. Post a close up picture and we can offer more help.
    • Carrie Carrie on Jan 07, 2014
      @Bingle If I can get a picture up closer- I will. You're right the picture is so far away it's really hard to tell.
  • Carrie Carrie on Jan 07, 2014
    Most people are saying turkey vultures. I wish I could get a closer look at them, it would be nice to think they could be starlings! Thank you for your response!
  • Janis Hill Janis Hill on Jan 17, 2014
    If they have a red head then they are probably turkey vultures. They look too small to be starlings. I would go with blackbirds. And many birds survive in cold climates. I am in Massachusetts and birds cover my bird feeders everyday!
  • Carolyn Conley Carolyn Conley on Dec 18, 2014
    We live in western Maryland in the country. We have these birds roosting, especially in dead trees on our property, and we have neighbors who also see these birds on their property, too. My husband calls these birds turkey buzzards. They feed on carrion (road kill or dead animals.) We had to call DNR to send a forest ranger to remove one that became tangled up and caught in an evergreen tree near our house and he also called it a turkey buzzard. Hope this helps.