The charming town of Bluffton, South Carolina, known for its quirky spirit and historic Old Town, holds a unique and somewhat humorous connection to one of the Lowcountry’s most vital, if often misunderstood, birds: the Turkey Vulture (sometimes locally and historically called a “buzzard”). Far from being just another avian resident, this masterful scavenger has carved out a peculiar and celebrated place in Bluffton’s local lore, thanks in part to a former mayor’s memorable stunt.
The Buzzard’s Role in Lowcountry Life
Turkey Vultures and their cousin, the Black Vulture, are year-round residents in coastal South Carolina. While they may not be the most glamorous birds, their ecological role as nature’s clean-up crew is essential. By consuming carrion (dead animals), they help prevent the spread of disease, a service that was particularly valued in older, pre-modern sanitation communities.
In the Lowcountry, vultures thrive, often seen soaring high above the marshes and forests, wings held in a distinctive “V” shape, or congregating in communal roosts. In Bluffton, situated on the May River, their presence is a natural part of the landscape. However, it was a moment of local contention that elevated the bird from a mere scavenger to town mascot.
The Mayor, the Lawsuit, and the Vulture Costume
The most colorful chapter in the Turkey Vulture’s Bluffton history revolves around former Mayor George Heyward in 1985. The story goes that a resident, annoyed by the presence of vultures drawn to the nearby Oyster Factory, sued the mayor personally, arguing the factory was a nuisance that attracted the birds.
Mayor Heyward’s response was legendary: he didn’t just dismiss the complaint; he embraced the bird. Mayor Heyward officially proclaimed the “buzzard” as the Town Bird of Bluffton. To firmly establish this new, somewhat eccentric honor, Mayor Heyward famously rode atop a garbage truck in the Bluffton Christmas Parade, fully decked out in a buzzard costume.
This defiant, tongue-in-cheek act cemented the vulture’s status as a symbol of Bluffton’s resilient and irreverent “state of mind,” celebrating the town’s acceptance of its natural surroundings—warts and all.
Modern Celebrations and the Vulture Legacy
While there is no single, long-standing “Turkey Vulture Festival” equivalent to some other regional celebrations, the spirit of the buzzard has found its way into Bluffton’s modern community events.
The Historic Bluffton 5K Turkey Chase, while named for the turkey bird traditionally associated with the holiday, the word “Turkey” in the Lowcountry often evokes a subtle nod to the local Turkey Vulture. The event is a cherished community tradition.
Additionally, the annual “Buzzard Picnic,” an event celebrating the bird, has featured a buzzard sculpture named “George” (a clear reference to the former mayor) which is awarded to the winner of a local contest. This fun affair often encourages attendees to embrace the theme, sometimes even in costume.
The legacy of George Heyward and his buzzard costume remains a beloved piece of Bluffton folklore, a testament to how the town turned a potential embarrassment into a point of pride. The Turkey Vulture, “God’s Picker Upper,” continues to soar over the May River, a fitting, if unconventional, emblem for the eccentric and beautiful “Heart of the Lowcountry.”