Hawk and Vulture Form Unlikely Bond at Norristown Zoo

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At the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, Pennsylvania, a female red-tailed hawk named Hunter and a female turkey vulture named Stan have formed an unlikely bond. The two birds, who came to the zoo after being injured in the wild, share food, preen each other, and have even attempted to raise eggs together despite being different species. Zoo staff consider the pair a bonded couple, though the nature of their relationship is unclear.

Why it matters

The relationship between Hunter and Stan highlights the complex social and emotional lives of animals, even those of different species. While the specifics of their bond may be difficult to define, the birds' interactions demonstrate the capacity for animals to form close connections and cooperate with one another, challenging assumptions about the limitations of animal cognition and behavior.

The details

Hunter, a 22-year-old red-tailed hawk, and Stan, a 20-year-old turkey vulture, have lived together in the same enclosure at the Elmwood Park Zoo for over a decade. The birds share food, with Hunter sometimes holding a piece of meat still so that Stan can tear at it. They also preen each other's feathers, a behavior typical of breeding partners. In the past, the two have even attempted to mate and build a nest together, though zoo staff had to replace any eggs laid to prevent them from rotting, as Stan could not fertilize them.

• Hunter and Stan have lived together in the same enclosure at the Elmwood Park Zoo since at least 2016.
• A few years ago, the birds were separated for several weeks while Stan healed from an injury, during which time neither of them ate as well as they did when they were together.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The zoo staff will continue to monitor the relationship between Hunter and Stan, and ensure that the birds' needs are met, including providing them with the proper care and environment to thrive.