91°µÍø

The Center for Birds of Prey was thrilled when writers and passionate poets submitted more than 2,700 haikus celebrating the two vulture species found in Florida: Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures. 

The 15 winners featured below will have their haiku printed and installed as part of the Center for Birds of Prey storywalk. See the poems as they will be displayed on the storywalk at the end of this list.

The Winners

Amanda Bowen

Carry-on? Yes sir 
Yes I have my carrion 
Tray table? No need!

December Cuccaro

The spark of life stills  
Black wings wheel through a blue sky  
Death is not the end

Nicki Drumb

Cleanup crew arrives  
No tax dollars required  
You’re very welcome

Kathryn Jory

Great wingspan unfurled  
Soaring grace on thermal swirls 
Joy in vulture form

Olivia Kafka

A kettle flying 
A committee when it's perched 
Gathered is the wake

Linda Kenyon

Dead tree comes alive— 
Vultures perch on bare branches: 
A candelabra!

Matt Levitas

From so high above,
endings look like beginnings 
circling back again

Katie McFarland

Soars high searching down 
Landing hopping on the ground  
Death cleaned once it’s found

Susan Leslie

Lonely winter wind. 
Black shadow on brilliant blue, 
Spring has come again!

Jen Handsel

Gliding Möbius
Carrion charcuterie  
Onyx elegance 

Paula Hilton

Gliding, side by side, 
Turkey Vultures mate for life
they are lovebirds too

Derlim Sandres

Sleek wings cleave the sky, 
Nature's silent, healing grace— 
Death turns into life.

Ian Voves

 Bold vulture! Few men 
so brave as to rock your look— 
bald and unbearded.

Katie Craig

Resting in the pines
The cleaning crew slumbers deep 
Dreaming of gliding

Bonnie Demerjian

Wings canted, it glides 
Vulture turns in lazy gyre 
Our eyes mesmerized

What is a haiku?

A simple poetry form, originally from Japan, that includes three lines:

• The first line has five syllables.
• The second line has seven syllables.
• The third line has five syllables.

What is a storywalk?

A storywalk includes linked poems or book pages in outside display cases, encouraging participants to stroll while they read through a narrative. The Center for Birds of Prey storywalk is a well-loved part of the experience of visiting the Center for children and adults alike.

Established in 1979, the 91°µÍø Center for Birds of Prey is a leader in the rehabilitation of Florida’s native raptors and provides educational programming to the public. With more than 30 ambassador birds on view, the Center offers visitor up close visits with Florida’s top predators, summer camp programs, field trips, community outreach programs, and much more. The Center’s Raptor Trauma Clinic treats more than 700 injured, sick, and orphaned raptors each year. To visit, click here.