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 just noticed your comments, get better soon! I will continue to add notes as often as I can. Felt pretty confident in identifying the male and female then all of a sudden, it seems like a 3rd? The face had the brow like the male, but its got more white feathers and a hint of color on the face. Or is it the lighting, not sure yet, but I agree with you about the white feathers. 🙂
Hi Carol,
I noticed the feather difference yesterday and wasnt sure if it was sunlight, but it does appear this BV has more white feathers, I posted photos on the forum yesterday.
Have missed this so much even if for just two days. Lynn, or whoever is watching,doesn’t the parent who has just now stretched and rolled the eggs appear to have white or grayish markings on the coverts and tail area? Is it just the light? Am I imagining this? Since I rarely see a changing of the guard, it’s most difficult.
Good morning. Mar 22, Friday 8 a.m nest time temp is 28 degrees. Predicted high of 39 for today. Weekend forecast Sunny 46 Saturday and 45 Sunday with some rain in the nest area.
#1 egg is 19 days old today, about at the half way stage. #2 egg is 16 days old today.
Lynn, I apologize for my absence. In spite of flu shot early in the fall, managed to contract it. Thank you so much for keeping up here and on Forum. I plan to use the weekend to go over all my screen shots and gather my notes and thoughts to see if there are distinguishing patterns or colorations. It has been my feeling since I saw the second egg laid that the female was more purely black and that the male had some whitish/gray areas on certain wings.
I noted, as you did, that one day last week, the incubating parent was extremely distracted, and I wondered if that third BV mentioned some time ago by Greg is an intruder still in the area or a subadult from last year.
10:38 pm. 3/21 Thursday. Full screen could see silhouette. Parent did eggroll. Saw the eye glow white and saw shape of eggs. P settled back onto eggs.
Male returned and what pretty lighting on the nest. Pardon my mentioning another BV but if I remember reading correctly there may have been a 3rd in the past. He is glowing from the light and with head tucked in, a very welcoming sight. Did manage a couple new screen captures and I added more to the forum.
Will be back off and on to try to capture image of parent once cam is zoomed in. From a distance this adult/parents, seems to have a light streak on its left wing. Is it lighting or possibly a third BV? Too far away to tell.
Carol, hope all is well and knowing you are busy. I try to keep noting things for you and others who cannot check in as often.
Posted photos on forum and voila, Parent is back and I missed it.
approx 10:54 am Mar 21,Thursday, Cam panning reveals interesting sight. Appears to be poo stains coming down from shed roof. Can it be the P spend time on the roof, it appears that way. Nice panning.
10:47 am Mar 21,THursday, Parent leaves nest area. Live cam panning to outdoors was amazing, but no BV in cam view. Wait and see which parent arrives!
Female has a defined circle in a wrinkle in front of her left eye. it has a line through it. She has a tiny brow with a white dot, left eye. The right side to her face, the only mark that I can identify so far is a thin black line over the right eye and time permitting I will check in later.. Looking forward to comparing notes! Have a good day.
Mar 21, 9:55 a.m. Thursday. Lovely close up on parent. I believe this is the male. Eyebrow V straight on, lighter beak, slightly crooked. From side view a brow line. Shiny feathers. Oh he is handsome! I hope to look at last years photos and attempt a comparison to see if this can be the same couple/pair.
I do not know a way or a means to edit my comment from this morning, I think the male has been on the nest since yesterday, Mar 19.
Happy Spring!
I spent a good while looking at screen captures and feel pretty sure this is the male. It’s been a while since Ive noticed him. Basing this on his feathers and facial features. Eggroll approx 8:10 a.m. Mar 20.
Hi Carol,
My first hand experience with BV is they are quite characters! I enjoy the TV but they are far more elusive and do not like the camera at all. I hear you. I would like to read and write in Forum. Have some nice captures to share. I have dozens and dozens of photos from our yard and our surrounding area that I want to share there too. Did you see the link below? I hope you got to see the P stretching and in an odd pose over eggs. The sunlight on the one egg gave it a pink glow!
3:54 pm Tuesday, Mar 19, P stands and stretches. Extends wings in odd fashion, almost mantles eggs with wings, not the typical bend and stretch. P repeats stretching. Seems preoccupied with something out the left side of cam view. I have great screen captures but need to figure the forum, can’t find BV there yet. Lovely lighting and beautiful BV.
So glad,Lynn, that you will be joining Forum. I feel much more comfortable there than I do in SS or Chat for the live raptor cams that are important to me. In general, you find more serious birders and more informed observations. similar to what we have here. I also like the ability to post screen captures and photographs as we can do for photographs here.
Incidentally, be sure to watch Bob’s video which shows mating behavior(pre-mount and mounting), which he was kind enough to post there.
I don’t understand why there is so much less interest in Black Vultures than in Turkey Vultures. I find them equally fascinating. When you check the respective threads in Forum, you will see the disparity, although I only recently started the Tri-State thread while the BV thread was opened a year ago.
Look forward to seeing you here and in Forum.
Feel free to used any pictures and video from this site. Attribution to Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc. would be welcome.
Carol, Thanks for the information regarding RRP. I did not know that there is a thread in there. I do check in on D1 and this will work!
Two BV just flew low over our house, a lot of wing flapping, returning to new roost/nest area I wonder. They are staying close by and seen everyday, even cold rainy days now.
DO people feed the BV near the nest?
Thanks Carol.
Membership pending. Mean while, Have folder with screen captures and need to do some housekeeping on my desktop. Would love to read and write in the forum.
I’m still waiting for those identical poses to spot the differences between the P’s. Best would be the two of them together.
Glad you were able to see the eggroll. Since then, there were at least two more. So nice to watch.
A nice glimpse of the eggs around 2:45 P.M. Of course, the eggs have to be rolled regularly, but this is the first time I have seen it this season. Nice to observe characteristic Black Vulture behavior even if it comes in bits and pieces.
Lynn, Some time ago I opened a thread on RRP Forum for the Tri-State Black Vulture Project. I don’t know whether or not you are a member. I would be pleased to have your observations or pictures posted there. I know that you are also very interested in Turkey Vultures. RRP has a thread for the Missouri TVs as well. Both threads are categorized under “Other Raptors.”
Are there any copyright issues with the screen captures? I keep them for my own use but may I add any to my own online birding albums?
(with credit to BV chicks cam?)
Is there a site to share our black vulture screen captures or view others? TY again.
Thanks Bob and Carol.
It interests me to know more about the vultures and raptors in general, that once the eggs are laid, they go from soaring hours on end, preening and sleeping perched, to being sedentary for hours a day and sleeping a lot, laying down. It is required for the eggs and instinct, can it be simple as that, they just “know” Any thoughts?