Black vultures have become a big headache for Missouri livestock producers

The federally protected birds are preying on newborn livestock. Missouri's black vulture bird population has grown from 14,000 in 2015 to roughly 21,000 in 2021, which is only worsening the problem.
Missouri livestock producers are battling a growing nuisance — black vultures.

Black vultures, unlike the more common turkey vultures, are known for being aggressive as they gang up and prey on newborn livestock. Davin Althoff, the director of marketing and commodities at the Missouri Farm Bureau, said he’s received countless calls from livestock producers about how aggressive the birds are.

“After the birth of the calf, the black head vulture will attack,” Althoff said. “Typically, they attack the eyeballs first, and then they’ll go in for the kill.”

The black vulture bird population has grown in Missouri from 14,000 in 2015 to roughly 21,000 in 2021. Their rapid growth has only worsened the problem.