TAMPA, Fla. — Neighbors living in one Westchase neighborhood said vultures are damaging their property.
Judy Oliveri said she moved into the neighborhood about 3 years ago.
She said the vultures circle above the houses.
"Somewhere between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. they land on the roof. There can be 25 vultures on the roof at the same time. I always joke and say it sounds like Santa and all of his reindeer are landing on your roof," said Judy Oliveri.
Neighbors said the birds are messy and also damage the pool cages.
"The droppings every morning, I have to wash the lani. You spend money to replace the screens. You spend money to have it pressure washed and within a day or two after it's done, it's all right back again," said Oliveri.
Eric Goldstein has lived in the neighborhood for twenty years. He said the birds gather on an island in a body of water behind their homes.
"We did not have a problem with them until approximately three years ago," said Goldstein.
"They started over at the commercial district and then I guess they found this island over here. They decided to stay," he said.
Goldstein said he has contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove the birds.
"They actually came down and did a site visit. They agreed. We have an invasion of the turkey vultures. They agree the population is out of control. It's tripled," said Goldstein.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, vultures are state and federally protected as a migratory bird, therefore it is unlawful to harm or kill them without a permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Neighbors hope for a solution soon. They said the birds may be found every day on the roof of their homes or in their backyards.
"They walk around up there and they scratch. It sounds like a dance party up there. They wake you up and every morning," said Oliveri.
To learn more about vultures visit: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/raptors-and-vultures/vultures/
