Making an animal friend can take time and patience, but with the right strategy (and lots of treats), anyone can do it. Whether it’s becoming BFFs with the neighbor’s dog or feeding the birds who frequent your backyard, there are so many beautiful ways to connect with animals.
Just ask Tom Ryan! He recently made a social media account just to share videos of his birdy BFFs, with just one catch: they’re vultures! The black vultures have become his ‘pals’ thanks to daily feedings and bonding, but not even @tboneryan2 gets tired of their majestic looks—especially when they show off their wings in the most stunning display, like one of the birds did on January 4.
Wow, these black vultures are such beautiful birds! It must have been a shock, and maybe even a bit creepy, when Tom first spotted them perched on his fence, but now they’re beloved visitors and friends. Of course, they always expect a snack when they stop by!
“The bird was like ‘He’s going to love this,'” @shellchi commented. He knows exactly how to ask for a bite to eat! Even if sunning its wings has an important purpose (more on that below), it’s also incredibly captivating to see. I know I was stunned the first time I ever saw a bird doing this, and I can’t be the only one.
Related: Woman Witnesses Tragic Mystery of a Vulture ‘Funeral’ and It’s Awe-Inspiring
Hearing how Tom talks to his birdy friends could warm anyone’s heart. It’s easy to see what a special connection they have! @Glyterpixie shared, “I’m crying over how proud he is and you telling him how pretty he is.” Everyone deserves that kind of affirmation!
“I’ve a special connection with this one,” Tom explained. “This is the first one I fed over 7 years ago. It was very cold and very raw out, and I put a pile of fresh ground chuck out for him, and the love affair was on!”
Vultures: Scavengers in the Sun
It’s wonderful to see all the love these birds are getting in the comments, especially since vultures have gotten a bad rap. True, they are scavengers with a less-than-glamorous diet, but they are also smart and fascinating animals who play an important role.
Commenter @jordanthegraywitch loved to see the “vulture doing a little sunbathing!” She also agreed, “They are so misunderstood and are such necessary creatures for our ecosystem.”
But why do they display their wings like this? Vultures sunbathe to soak up the warmth and dryness in the air, but they also do this to kill parasites that may be on their feathers.
The National Audubon Society explains, “Exactly how sunlight might kill lice remains unclear, but scientists now believe that short blasts of heat, UV radiation, or some combination of both from the sun’s rays is likely the cause.” What clever birds!
Tom and his vulture friends have a one-of-a-kind relationship that’s so fascinating to watch. Only time will tell what special moments they’ll share in the future.
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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Jan 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.