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.
5/2
Question:
In the past seasons with two chicks, did the adults leave them alone for longer periods of time or was the nurturing and caring the same as 2013? Since the two chicks huddled and comforted each other, I am curious, if it is possible that the BV are intelligent enough to recognize a lone chick and offer more bonding time.
Question:
In previous seasons when did the chicks start roaming? Is Stephen on track with the spirited roamings? I wasn’t ready for that. If it is normal, that will be good to hear.
Question: Where the heck are you Stevie? Aunt Lynn wants to see you now!
Pictures of chick development during the 2011 season are now available for viewing at the “Chicks 2011” page.
4/30 9:29 p.m.
Please, leave a comment and time if Parent or chick are visible from now until morning.
I am going to call it a night, go to bed before 11 p.m. for a change.
Finish my dishes at night, if I go soon. lol.
Until tomorrow, have a good evening all.
Hi Carol,
On my way to the forum.
Fran, so glad we have clarification regarding moderation and that our comments did finally appear. Must be some automated censor that responds to certain words.
I missed your question regarding preening. Preening is absolutely essential to maintain feathers in top flying condition. The barbs of the feathers have to be smoothed and rejoined constantly. Dirt is removed by nibbling along each feather. And, yes, lice and other parasites are removed in this process.
Do you watch any of the Bald Eagle sites? I do take and post screen captures of the Minnesota Bound BEs – a lovely family.
Please think about joining Lynn and me, and occasionally Bob, on a thread I started in RRP Forum for the Tri-State site. Would love to have your observations and pictures of the BVs as a permanent record there as well.
4/30 Highlights Bewildered
6:54 a.m. food
7:04 a.m. empty nest area
7:34 a.m. stuck screen, feeding
7:40 a.m. P arrives
9:36 a.m. Wide cam, Stevie is in right corner.
** Chick flaps and wiggles bumm, very cute.
About 9:15 a.m.
Things changed.
P arrives in through the left center nook, The slot seems small but P enters shed disheveled. If it managed to enter the shed through the door, so quickly I didn’t notice, not sure, but my senses say P came in on the left. Got its footing and went into the right corner.
One minute prior, P entered and went into corner. This was 11:36-11:38 a.m. Had not seen chick since 2 hours prior.
Thanks to Fayeee she caught sight of one P. It came out of the corner, finally, at 4:59 pm.
P leaves and returns at 5:27 pm, walks around in circles for 3 minutes then flies up onto top of left tank. (Fayeee)
None have been in view since. Haven’t seen chick since 9:38 a.m.
Could chick make its way outside? Maybe that is why the adults haven’t returned and stayed. Hopefully they are tucked in a corner of the shed and chick will return with adults tomorrow.
It is dark here now. They won’t be able to see, so I don’t expect
them tonight, but I would not mind being wrong.
It is 8:30 p.m. 8 are viewing 11,229 views.
Thank you Bob. Lynn, my two comments haved showed up now. One is under the older comments. So up state got all the nice weather today. Dreary, misty day here. But, on the bright side, I had vistors from five adorable wildlife. I got pictures. I so enjoy taking pictures of all the wildlife that visit. Carol, I have some nice pictures of the Bald Eagle too. No Vulture pictures today though. It’s 5:52pm and nest is empty;unless, Stevie is in the dark corner. It is wonderful to be able to view these Black Vultures. Thank you Tri-State.
Beautiful day outside, saw two, no vultures landed. Have whole fish for them. Mullet. Came indoors to give them half an hour to land (time to catch up and check bv cam.) No visitors, so off I go to finish the yard work for today. Will cover the grub and wait for morning if they don’t come soon.
Usually I cut strips and fillet the fish to make it easier for them, but today its whole fish.
Later, …
No rain as predicted. It’s a beautiful day.
Yes,from an adoring aunt. She is named Stephen Colbert officially.
My lip split because I just smiled so hard.
In Aunt Lynn’s heedless failure to remember what she said, BV Stevie stuck.
I like the name Colby, but I also like Ethyl and Thiol. I think Thiol is the best vulture name! A form of mercaptan gas, one of a vultures favorite things.
Whoda thunkit that I would be learning science from reading about vultures. Its all in fun. Something to talk about when the shed is quiet.
Thanks, Bob, for response regarding moderation. Just a mystery, I guess.
Absolutely, endearing. I don’t think that I have ever seen a sweeter, dearer or more beautiful nestling or more devoted parents in the bird world. I love my Bald Eagles, but they care for their eaglets in a more instinctive, if not matter-of-fact, way. Vultures are believed to be more intelligent, and I think this is reflected as well in the way they dote on and teach their young. No hate mail, please, from my fellow Decorhans. I have all the respect in the world for “Mom” and “Dad” Decorah and all their offspring.
Solution to the naming confusion: the surviving chick is “Stephen Colbert” (aka “Stevie” or “Colby” at the option of adoring aunts).
I do not know why some posts are held up for moderation. I have set WordPress to post them immediately if they are not spam. WordPress has done an excellent job of holding back spam, which I periodically review and delete. I may never buy a particular brand of sunglasses again as a result of their persistent efforts to leave commercial comments here. I “approve” the legitimate comments held for moderation as soon as I see them. Sorry about the delay.
I have added photos to the forum today, cute ones of things that will never change and things that change in the blink on an eye. Outside I go.
Hi Fran,
Bob said it’s really nothing to worry over. My words not exactly his, but, it just happens sometimes. It is nothing we’ve said or done.
It is all good. I tried to find the email to repeat what he said but I can’t. I did see that when I mentioned the chicks names, I asked if we could keep Colbert/Colby and Stephen RIP. Somehow BV Stevie stuck. Good to keep things in writing, in front of me.
I just don’t worry any more. The comments will show up. If I miss them let me know!
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for the updates. I made 2 comments yesterday to you but says they are awaiting moderation….. don’t know why.
Thank you Bob. Good luck.
4/30
11:36-11:38 a.m.
Second P/ adult appeared out of nowhere, did anyone see? Did it come in the tiny nook slot or did it run by so fast I missed it?
Feathers were slightly disheveled. It fluffed and went to the right corner.
Offline for a couple hours for computer maintenance.
4/30
Lots going on today. Behind the scenes. That is a large shed too. Panning and zooming, looking for chick. Who is all over the place.
Cam trying to keep track of Stevie. Both P are in the right corner.
Minutes before, shadows outside, P enters doorway about 11:36 a.m. and second P enters the left nook area, don’t know how it fit, but it did. Feathers ruffled but it entered shed at 11:38 a.m. Both went direct to right corner.
4/29 highlights
6:04 a.m. chick awake outside of P’s wing
6:05 a.m. chick wakes adult, feeding
6:50 a.m. feeding
*New*
chick was very hungry, appeared to flap wings and lower its head to the adult. Seen this is motv chicks last season.
6:56 a.m. P leaves
7:07 a.m. chick leaves for corner
chick used to dart soon as adult left, now spends 10-15 minutes in front of tank before exiting stage right.
8:30 a.m. Second Parent
9:03 a.m. one out of view
9:04 a.m. second P out of view
9:05 a.m. NUZZLING and HORALTIC POSE in the shed. Adults groomed and nuzzled, no food drop just greetings.
9:32 a.m. feeding
9:40 a.m. Parents nuzzling and grooming each other.
9:42 a.m. P leaves
9:43 a.m. P returns
9:44 a.m. P runs fast to the doorway.
9:45 a.m. chick flap flap.
Then the male returns.
NEW** Chick stands and backs up to expel droppings, wings up.
Zoom cam views today
Alley cam view since Stevie went walking.
11:37 a.m. chick was in right corner, alley cam
11:56 a.m. P arrives and feeds chick in the corner.
2:49 p.m. feeding Fayeee
3:04 p.m. P sleeps and chick preens outside of wing.
3:07 chick wakes up the male.
3:12 p.m. feeding
Keep one eye on the cam and haven’t seen feeding since 3:12 p.m.
Second P/female has not been in view since 9:04 a.m. that I have seen.
Most times I’ve peaked they were sleeping, preening now and then but its been a very quiet afternoon/evening.
Wing flaps and wing flaps. Feet nearly doubled in size the last couple days. Growing pangs, chick sleeps flat on the ground and all of a sudden, the rubber chicken legs stretch out. A term on endearment for the sleepy chicks whose legs and wings twitch. Legs and toes stretch straight out.
Chick stands longer and runs faster.Flapping wings along the way.
Saw chick tilt head to watch the adults doing full wing stretches and horaltic pose, the chick was watching with interest. Both parents arrived in the shed dripping wet very early this morning.
Today was a day to taste everything. Zoom cam view and chick was tasting the tank, tasting dirt, tasting concrete, anything and everything, the chick was playing and learning.
Sound asleep may there dreams come true, to live long and well.
Gnite
Endearing, yes, very much so. Makes me wonder, makes me think.
6 viewers 11,013 views. 4/29/13 10:27 pm.
Rainy couple days. BV’s had a quiet day.
So, the orb mystery may be solved, there are spider webbing with either eggs or the bug itself. In and out of view but sometimes you can see the shine of the webbing contrasted by the adults dark colored feathers.
Oh ok….thanks Lynn…. I find myself squinting too at times …..even when I wear my glasses…lol. It just looked like a couple of times during the close up view when Stevie would close its little beak that it didn’t align itself perfectly shut at the tip maybe because Stevie had just been fed. Thanks for checking.
It is so endearing to watch the care with which the parents care for their chick.
Hi Fran,
We had heavy rain early and been drizzly sort of day.
If I squint there is no crook.
Interesting Q about the lice.