Turkey Vulture Defies Time With Record-Setting Birthday In East Bay

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Watermelon, raw meat, and super worms — this is the way a vulture turning 52 celebrates a record-setting birthday.

Lord Richard, the world's oldest known living turkey vulture, will celebrate his 52nd birthday Saturday with a public party at Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek.

Lord Richard hatched in San Francisco in 1974, when wildlife rehabilitation programs were still in their early stages, according to the wildlife center.

After becoming accustomed to the people who raised him, wildlife experts decided he could not survive on his own in the wild. He later joined Lindsay Wildlife.

Today, Lord Richard remains the oldest known living turkey vulture in the world and continues serving as an ambassador for his species from his aviary overlooking Larkey Park.

He has also become a familiar, if not pretty, face for generations of visitors that he has spent decades teaching about turkey vultures and native California wildlife.

The birthday festivities include educational programs about Lord Richard and his species, as well as the unveiling of a special birthday "cake" made from watermelon, raw meat, and super worms.

The day includes a tribute performance by a Bay Area band, The Corner Laughers. The band will perform an original song, "Lord Richard," written in honor of the iconic turkey vulture.

The celebration is 10-11 a.m. on Saturday at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience, 1931 First Ave., in Walnut Creek.

A birthday celebration is planned 10-11 a.m. on Saturday at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience, 1931 First Ave., in Walnut Creek, to celebrate the oldest known Turkey Vulture, Lord Richard (above).