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.
10:11 pm Monday 3/25 Dark silhouette of Parent, awake, I can see white eye and blinking.
Hi Carol, I agree, they hear many sounds outside. Interesting expressions.
BVs head is now tucked in, good night all.
Snow comes in every once in a while, BV tilts head and looks.
Lynn, what we are seeing now appears to be very typical of one or the other or both, i.e somewhat restless head movement, pecking at debris, clapping bill. Something periodically draws attention — whatever activity, presuming birds, goes on around the shed area. Pecking and bill clapping perhaps defensive behaviors. Bill clapping is a defensive behavior in Ravens. Wondering if other Vultures (BV or TV) are still close to shed area.
Looking up looking alert!
Hi Carol-
We have not named this year’s adults. Perhaps you and Lynn will do so. Also, we are recording the video 24/7 for later review, but day-to-day we are not otherwise recording shift changes.
Zoom out, great, was wondering if BV landed outside.
Snow just blew into nest area… 10:16 am
Good Morning, Bob or Greg,
Can you tell us what identification names the project researchers used for the parents and chicks from last season and what names will be used this season. Would like to follow that for comments here but also on the thread I opened in RRP Forum.
Additionally, is it possible that you could post recent data on shift changes.
Thanks so much.
Carol
GM again, (Male) has once again began fluffing his feathers, which I take as a good sign they are plenty warm?
Although currently he is hunkered down keeping himself and the eggs warm.
Mar 25, 7:07 a.m. Heavy snow in nest area currently. It is a beautiful sight, but reality for wildlife may be a challenging time.
(Male) is still on the nest. Curious to see what if anything happens with the parents today. I believe today is Day 6 that he remains incubating the eggs. Since yesterday he has been fluffing or ruffling his feathers and they stay mostly fluffed and I’m curious if it’s a way to regulate body temperature?
4:50 pm Sunday Mar 24. Checking in. I imagine the parents rest and sleep to conserve energy, after what appears to be perhaps 5 days on the nest without relief. Conserving energy in resting? Just a thought.
4:53 Parents rolls egg right out of view.
9:25 a.m. Sun Mar 24. Day 5 I believe Male is still on nest.
Carol, TY for the forum info. I will enjoy reading and learning.
Long haul to be without food for Parents.
Lynn, I agree with you about the prolonged stays of each of the adults.
See Forum for my thoughts on terminology, and thanks for posting screen captures there.
9:23 a.m. Sat, Mar 23. Good morning. Looks like (Male) is on nest, day 4. They seem to each take long sitting times. I apologize I don’t know the terms yet. Day 4 with same parent, if it is preferred rather than saying Male or Female. What helps, is what I will do.
Carol, I have a photo for you and will add it to the forum then off we go, road trip.
Lynn, I love the way the eye, as it moves, periodically captures the light. Love the eyes which look like gemstones. Parent appears to be getting sleepy. It’s all that posing and performing for us.
5:05 pm Friday,Mar 22. Male takes big stretch, runs beak through soil and continues to click/chatter his beak.
Carol first mentioned the sifting and then I saw him again, chattering his beak. So, now two and two together add up.
Clicking, chattering, maybe I need a cheat sheet.
Bob,
Over the past several minutes the incubating parent was pecking at and seemed to be nibbling debris. I am presuming that what we see as debris is a layer of regurgitated food from seasons past when parents were feeding chicks. Is that correct? Did the floor of this shed have any other kinds of materials originally? Wondering if this is just a nervous habit or what.
We seem to be obsessed with trying to distinguish between the male and female parent. I know you have yourself made the effort to do so, and I believe at last report had not come to a firm conclusion. Any more thoughts about this? I really don’t know, but I have come to associate more of a whitish-gray edging on the coverts of what I think is the male. It is not unusual to see this on Black Vultures, but in general it doesn’t distinguish male from female.
Very difficult to tell to what extent the lighting contributes to this.
chewing motion, clicking beak and emptying crop 1:38 p.m. Great up close photos. Sharp.
12:57-58 pm Friday Mar 22, Male on nest clicking beak as Ive seen before. Looks like talking motion.
Thank You, will note them and see Amazon. I had to say a BV just landed on our chimney. 🙂 Left wing has at least 6 feathers with white. Will try for photo.
Lynn, see a very brief bibliography on Forum.
Question: Is there a chart showing the stages on an incubating vulture egg? I haven’t been able to find one and fascinating to think #1 egg is about at the half way stage in development. I wonder what is going on inside those eggs! Thanks.
Carol,
I watch sunrise, noon, sunset and still haven’t seen a changing of the guard, but hopefully one day! They are so beautiful and relaxing and addictive to watch! Look forward to your thoughts on the incubating adult this morning.
8:00 a.m.Friday Mar 22. It is 28 degrees at nest area, high of 39. Weekend forecast, Saturday, sunny 46. Sunday rainy 45.