THE VULTURE
Vultures must be the most unloved bird on the planet. Many shudder at the sight of them. Because movies and cartoons show them circling above carcasses, people associate them with death. With bald red heads and hunched shoulders, these raptors are no beauties. Then there are the unsavory manners: they pee on their legs to cool down, and they vomit foul, stinky stuff at their enemies.
In reality, though, vultures can be pretty endearing. They’re curious and intelligent, and they can bond with people. Just ask the staff and visitors at the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center. Nero, a 45-year-old vulture is one of the center’s most beloved birds. He’s considered ancient for
