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.
Getting stronger.
Both have been scooting along a bit. Getting more balanced, using feet. Sara’s feet and wing flaps will be posted later or tomorrow.
Cleaning and preening time.
At 6:12 pm there was beak to beak contact between the chicks but not as aggressive as I have seen before. One chick opening its beak and clamping down but not seemingly to keep its hold for long on the other chick’s beak. Saw no head thrashing or bonking at this particular time.
Dinner time food drop 5:58 pm and shift change.
Viewed 2:00 pm feeding with no aggression with the chicks.
2:03 pm chick flaps wings twice and again around 6:00 pm.
A lunch time food drop.
From 4/16/2016
Feeding went off without incident. Male spend the night with his chicks.
In previous nesting seasons there came a time when the female handed over night duties and appears it’s occurred again this year.
Noted that he spent the evening with the two.
From 4/16/2016
Male has always enjoyed his wing stretches after hours of setting atop the eggs and he still does. Two curios looking faces watching. We see cute chicks and all along they are learning by every action the adults make.
Cam Off Air this morning.
Yesterdays accomplishments were grand.
Remy and Sara have gained in balance, posture and their curiosity is too cute.
Both have been upright on haunches, during feedings adults seem to position themselves that both chicks need to reach for food. Creating better strength and stamina and it’s working.
Yesterday, Remy preened top to bottom, Sara not yet.
They are mimicking adults and finding ornamentals to be play things.
Minus the aggression issue, each are coming along great.
Their childhood innocence and curiosity about all things is a joy to watch.
Lesson over for now. Other chick is under the adult wing and out of view.
Adult pecks at the ground. Chick learns from the adult and pecks too.
Picking up the twig, accomplished. Willing to share not so much.
Exploring a twig.
Both balanced and Remy preens, nice.
Beautiful. Photo Colors do vary… lighting changes affect colors.
Sara, left. Remy, right.
Growing like weeds, playing, preening, sitting upright on haunches. A lot of growth and bonding.
Sara left, Remy, right.
Colors may vary…
Noted and reported that at 4:34pm 4/15/2016 Remy was bonking Sara.
Bonking being a term meaning pecking atop the other’s head.
Today, they both ate early without any incident at all.
Perhaps, when the food chunk feedings begin Remy will be less food dominant.
The chicks have been consuming mainly liquids to date.
Based on Fayeee and Fran, I didn’t see any of it, but did notice Sara’s head had a small dark area. Today is a brand new day and I saw them both eat again without incident.
Remy and Sara slept in, but were woke up for feeding. They were laying down asleep and now its time to eat, both were fed.
Noting from yesterday:
As observed by Fayeee and Fran, Remy is a bit food dominant.
Meaning, some beak to beak contact continues, it’s something I see regularly
with vulture families here, females dominate the food. I’m banking that Remy is a female and it’s not more than that.
Remy also seems to stay on top, when they huddle, its Remy’s head atop Sara. They huddle and cuddle for comfort and warmth. They do appear to enjoy sharing but I don’t feel Remy has an ulterior motive, other than (possibly) being female.
Stevie, Ethyl and Thiol. all males, there would not be a food or dominance issue. Time will tell.
Beautiful spring morning in the nest area.
Not much movement, for now.
Egg tooth visible. They have eaten again and again, wonderful.
Sitting upright and preening, fantastic.
2PM Sara self-preens.
Very cute. Photos aren’t easy with the movement, but chick was doing a fantastic thorough job.
2PM Sara self-preens.
Very cute. Photos aren’t easy with the movement, but chick was doing a fantastic thorough job.
White spots, egg tooth… more visible.