LARKSPUR, Colo. — A 9NEWS viewer spotted a striking scene in southern Douglas County over Labor Day weekend: five turkey vultures gathered near Greenland, just south of Larkspur.

Ryan Sears, who shared the video with 9NEWS, said he first noticed one of the birds eating a carcass by the roadside. As he got closer, he saw four more perched nearby, with one spreading its wings dramatically.

“I didn’t realize the one had its wings out until I panned over to it,” Sears said. “That was the same one eating on the ground earlier."

Wildlife experts said the behavior is common for vultures and serves several purposes:

Thermoregulation: Spreading their wings allows the birds to warm up after a cool night by exposing a large surface area to the sun.

Feather maintenance: Sunning helps dry feathers

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