FEEL FREE TO CONTRIBUTE YOUR COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS BELOW OR IN GREATER DETAIL AT THE RAPTORX FORUM FOR BLACK VULTURES 2016. YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN REAL-TIME VULTURE NEST CHAT
If you lose live video (which may occur during camera changes), click on the “play” arrow or refresh your screen by clicking on the circular arrow to the right of the URL line.
The Tri-State VultureCam is up and running for 2017. From the 2010 to the 2013 breeding seasons, 6 chicks hatched and another 3 orphans from other locations fledged for a total of 9 fledglings from this nest site. The nest site was not used by vultures during the 2014 and 2015 breeding seasons, and the adult male, tagged #17 in 2013, has not returned. However, an untagged pair took up residence in late February 2016 resulting in two successful fledgings. An untagged pair took up residence again in early February 2017.
One of our long-term research objectives is to determine whether the same pair tends to occupy the shed year after year or if occupancy changes, possibly resulting from some form of competition or due to disturbing the nest site by tagging adults and/or chicks. Another objective of this multi-generational study is to observe ongoing working relationships between family members from year to year.
As in previous years, we are recording selected video and audio from several cameras, 24/7 for research purposes. However, our computer only streams video to this website from one camera at a time. We try to display the most interesting vulture behavior at any given moment. Sometimes the screen goes black after switching cameras. If this happens, you may be able restore the video by refreshing the webpage (by clicking on the circular arrow near the top center of the webpage for Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers). Known technical difficulties preventing viewing will be reported at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bkvu-test-3. Real-time chat regarding nesting activities is also available at this site. Day-to-day narrative and photos of nesting activity is available at RaptorX Forum for vultures, owls, and eagles
Viewing nesting behavior over the Internet, rather than observing the birds directly, avoids activity near the nest that could lead the adults to abandon it. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO LOCATE THE NEST SITE OR APPROACH IT AS DOING SO COULD RESULT IN DEATH OF THE CHICKS AND THE END OF THIS RESEARCH.
Comments from viewers relating to observations of vulture behavior or suggestions for research are most welcome.
I need to go for a while, but as of 3:45 its been very good.
Genius I tell you,
and now to that processor…
Liking the broader view of the doorway. Fayeee mentioned that it moves the fuzzy spot off of them and the corner. Whomever came up with that is a GENIUS.
NY Mike contacted some software people and made some changes. Let us know if you see an improvement re video skipping or freezing. We are still looking at other possible causes.
4/15 chick is most visible so far, wings up and it was trying to stand, second parent came in at 2:44 and regurgitates for mate, in the nest.
At 2:54 pm chick still visible but parent is pulling in back in. Must have been a shift change.
Thanks. We are indeed working on it. We suspect some software incompatibility issues. And our legacy, donated computer is struggling to keep up with the video streams. My kingdom for a quad processor.
Good luck Tech Support and thanks.
Ah. The “wandering” nature of Black Vulture (and Turkey Vulture) chicks. Just never expected it this early. Parents will have to be extra carefull right now. Saw it last year when they were quite a bit older. They would disappear for a few days in nooks and crannies. I think adjustments have been made for that this year. Not sure, however. Parents are doing an excellent job of keeping them out of view when we really, really want to see them.
Has anyone actually seen a feeding of the chicks? Personally have only seen posture of parent from the rear which suggested feeding – same with one parent feeding another. Haven’t seen a feeding yet. So interesting to watch. Looking forwward to it.
High noon, cam is/was On Air. 4/15
A couple evenings ago, a spider was on the lens and then the fuzzy dot appears, it seems to be blowing in the breeze today, may it blow off now..
Of all places to have a fuzzy dot on cam, it is exactly where the nest is.
4/15
Off Air. Last time I wrote down off air time it was 9:31 a.m.
Carol,
Thanks for the feather info.
I did note the feather comparisons with last seasons and this years.
It’s fun to compare notes, but the lowered wings with white exposed are at least possibly behavioral because it is done in the nest area itself after hatchings, during brooding.
Last years parent was brooding chicks with a large area of white feathers exposed and this year it repeats itself. Will reread my previous comment and see if I was specific enough. Thank you.
It is all good.
9:19 a.m. Off Air shortly, cam screen still sticking.
Do I contact Ustream? I have tried and its very difficult.
* I should add that both parents were lying down together, with the chicks in the nest.
4/15 Both parents were in the nest area together.
8:45 a.m. parent stands and both are visible. At 8:51 am
second parent leaves.
Looks like Stevie and Colby are moving around more today.
Adults still trying to maneuver them to stay in the corner.
4/15 6:53 a.m.
A lot has been happening already this morning.
Fayeee said
5:03 a.m. both parents are in shed.
Parent not on nest is active.
6:12 a.m. parent not on nest leaves
6:20 parent on nest is awake
6:24 chick escapes and parent pulls under wing.
Since then color cam is activated. Sun comes up, it’s Monday morning.
We’ll see if the chick’s can (escape) for a short while today so we can see them both.
Who is this fuzzy little daredevil, that already claims a partial victory in its young life. The innocence and instinct are wonder filled to me.
BV Parent feeds chick 7:54 pm 4/14
actually got photo. adding to forum! Emailing it to Bob as promised!
Lynn, the whole question of Plumage coloration is a complex and interesting one. I would think our seeing more white at one time than another, whether now or during incubation, is simply accidental — more related to position of parent at the time. This is a simplification, but generally colors relate more to breeding displays, although there can be other elements involved. When I have a chance, I will post the names of two very good books on feathers in Forum.
I love studying feather patterns. One of the ways I was able to tell MTVs apart was by differences in feathern patterns. You might check my more recent postings to MTV Forum thread to see comparisons.
Pretty patterns of feathers on parent/adult. Last seasons photos have one that is similar, in that the wings are lowered and showing a row of white, very pretty. We’ve seen tips of the white feathers before but when brooding the white feathers are far more noticeable.
QUESTION:
I wonder if displaying the white wing feathers a warning, form of defense for others to stay clear? Interesting.
4/14
There are sequences of photos in the RRP forum. The male entering the shed and regurgitating for the female, she went to the corner and was purportedly feeding a chick that was not visible at the time. This was from 9:30-9:35 a.m. yesterday morning.
There is an awesome photo of the mouth to mouth transfer between the adults!!! A photo of female pushing the discarded shell and a good view of the second pip. Then it appeared the male did the same with the second discarded shell, only he picked and pulled at it too. He pushed it out backwards too.
RRP Forum Other Raptor Cams and Information. Carol’s thread.
Immediately before second parent arrived, the brooding parent raised up and for the very first time I got to see TWO tiny little fuzzy ones. What made it most exciting is the fact that I could see them move ever so slightly. They are still blind and completely helpless. Parents are extremely attentive.
Thanks Carol for the updates. Photos in forum are good. Trying to jot down feedings. Won’t get them all but at least some dates and times.
4/14
Good Morning,
Busy day in the shed. Waiting to get a view.
Mostly sunny and breezy day ahead, highs around 64.
Very interesting series of events beginning around 6:10 A.M. Second parent arrives and joins first. Again motions of back indicated regurgitation, perhaps arriving parent to the other. Around 6:21, second parent begins to leave, turns head to look at nest area and returns. at 6:23 both parents in nest area.
At 5:21 A.M. brooding parent appeared to be feeding chicks. Humping of back and stretching of neck seemed to suggest regurgitation. Chicks not in view.
More photos are in the Forum. After shift change male feeds chick, screen sticks but he pushes out shell of chick as the female did with the first one.
Congratulations again.
# chick is here, Male and two chicks visible. He pushed the discarded shell. Just as the female did with the first one.