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.
A nice clear color view. Documenting the nest area to notice any changes, such as added or rearranged ornamentals.
Untouched photo. Strange weather day. Very dark clouds and sun. This hour of the day and the IR cam is on. At 10:28am color came on, but its off and on with these extreme and beautiful clouds.
Enjoying the view. Countdown 100 days… then BV cam nest watch begins.
I had a group for a feeding yesterday, today 5 are back.
Three BV and two TV. This cam is only a few miles from where I live, but the vultures seem to stay tight in there familiar areas.
They swoop low and the wind increases, they are fast.
Thanks for returning the cam On Air. I will be watching.
Nice view!
No signal
Cam went from Off Air to No Signal 4:19pm.
Visit to the shed. October 3, 2014, 4:20pm.
Tagged male #17. When the BV adults walk through the shed, the behavior is, that they oftentimes will walk through with wings extended.
Long rainy day yesterday, in the nest area. Today promises to be a drying out day. I imagine the BVs in a horaltic pose preparing for the day ahead.
It is now fall. Temps will be 80° and abundant sunshine over the weekend.
The infrared view from early morning. Another beautiful weather day for the nest area.
Another story altogether, the ornamentals in the nest area.
Another example of the male providing for the female… this was 2013 nesting season.
If you scroll back to older comments, on August 7, 2014 at 4:04 pm there is the photo of the tagged male #17 feeding his mate, the untagged female. Photographed by me, so fortunate to catch them.
Bonding within a mated couple is so beautiful to see.
Struck me, soon as the female appeared open beaked to her mate, she has done this before. Seen in the 10:10:44am screen capture from today.
Sticking with my theory that the brutal winter left the female unable to produce a viable egg. The adults would be adoring and doting over a fledged juvenile and the last several months have shown no evidence of it. Basing this on my own observances, which spans 4 years now. This time of year the adult vulture will still regurgitate food and care for its fledgling, well into December.
The BV adults are very comfortable with the shed and cams. Even after the capture and tagging of 17, adding two fosters, then tagging of the three chicks, they still return even now, today.
Noticed the female seems to glance at the male, open beaked. Wonder if this is perhaps a request for food. I did observe and photograph this adult pair on a rooftop nearby the nest area and she tapped his beak with hers and he obliged her with a beak to beak feeding of regurgitated food. A screen capture from today and a camera photo from summer of 2013 both show the females open beak.
Fascinating events and huge thanks for this Live cam. I do need to update and add the open beak rooftop photos.
One hour after the first time I was aware they were there, untagged female flies from the rafters down to the wall, then flies out.
Darkened this photo, still not able to ID, but assuming it is #17.
Left wing tagged adult, assuming it is 17, since tag cannot be clearly read due to the bright sunshine. Clearly two adult BV entered the shed, one left wing tagged.
It will be very warm and humid in the nest area today. High around 90° with a chance of storms later in the day. Low of 62° then a cooler, less humid day tomorrow, Friday.
Beautiful vultures. Female is on the pallet, appears to be heading inside. Male 17 perched on the wall.
Exciting day in the shed. The adults spent time on the wall and although I didn’t see the female depart from the wall, she may have entered the shed, seemed 17 may have followed her. I did see him turn, fly upwards into the rafters. Will add sequence of three photos.
Bird and squirrel visited today. A pretty day in the nest area. Expected high of 82° and a low of 65°.
Cam view from center hallway, behind sink, or actually the inside of the sink view. We often wondered what went on beyond!
Temp
77.0°F
Hi: 77°F
Lo: 75°F
Rain: 0.00″
Gust: SSW 7
Heat Index: 77°F
Humidity: 88%
Sunrise: 6:34 AM
Sunset: 7:26 PM
Heading for 90° today in the nest area. Summer 2013 I did photograph both adults and Stevie in a willow tree, feet only visible, staying as cool as possible. Have a fantastic photo of the three. Stevie/26 did move around enough I could clearly ID him. I will post the photo when I find it, but for now, here are the adults, last summer.
Wonderful. A clear color view of the stone wall this morning.
Tagged adult Black Vulture flew down onto the wall from inside the shed. This was on August 25, 2014 as time and date seen on photo, always exciting news.
May be the male, left wing tagged #17 visited the shed again!
I went to the Adult Behavior information (above) and watched the courting video. It seems as if the recently observed posing and strutting may be a courtship dance??? This photo is a capture from the video, showing the pair courting before mating, Feb 11, 2013.