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.
The best cam view. Hoot had a good point, this is the original nest area.
Shift change, feeding, lets see what happens by roosting bedtime.
Feeding. What a day!!!
Shift change.
Fayeee posted 3:42pm feeding, 4:55pm chick follow male off cam. They’ve been out of nest area for about 15 minutes.
The male was trying to coax them back, but they basically didn’t comply.
What a day for the BLVU explorers.
Feisty chicks. Remy and Sara are on walkabout. Just to the right!
Just to add to my comment from earlier: At 12:01 pm and after food drop, chicks are left alone for 4 mins. At 12:05 pm Adult returns after following other adult out of viewing area. At 12:09 pm adult suddenly lifts its head very quickly and then as if to zoom in, with head bent low, runs at a much faster pace out of the viewing area. Almost as if in a defensive protective mode. Just my observation. It could of simply been a little bird visit or possibly the famous ground hog that is familiar to the area.
These two, Remy and Sara are comical. We weren’t able to watch sibling behavior like this, at this age before because Stevie was alone for the first weeks of his life.
Things have settled between the siblings, wonderful, great, marvelous.
It is that time, the adults will begin to leave the nest area. Out of cam view, but not far.
The male often leaves in a hurry when his female returns. He also follows her out when the two are together in the nest area.
Then he returns to the chicks.
They are having a great day. Curious, playful and well fed!
Adult returns after running from nest area and the view of the camera. Gone from 12:09 pm till 12:51 pm.
A wing stretch while adult was gone for an extended period of time from the chicks.
Today’s food drop at lunch time, 11:59 am. Yesterday’s lunch time food drop was at 11:54 am. At 12:09 pm, something gets the adult’s immediate attention. Adult runs from the nest area and out of view. Adult stays away from the chicks and view of the nesting area until 12:51 pm. The longest I have seen an adult away from the chicks so far.
Both Remy and Sara were standing and stretching for food today. See Sara’s legs. Too cute. Very good progress chicks!
Remy, typo says Rimy.
The male stands and look how cute, Remy stretches out. what a cute little leg.
Beak nuzzles, preening each other, Sara still dug to get underwing. Male didn’t move at that time.
Preening each other, a little beak nuzzle, not as much for food, it seems a bonding time.
One on one is good.
Standing, pushing. Getting stronger. Rimy is underwing.
Sara naps on the males chest. Chick has been out for quite a while, no worries of a chill, it will be 80° today.
Fayeee saw Sara preen the female up and down. ( Sara being out)
I saw Sara preen the male and appear to be digging to get under. Stronger legs, Sara was standing and reaching up to the male. Then got tired.
Earlier, the male got the two with his beak and pulled them together more towards the nest area.
I thought about the chicks scooting that far apart and the male brought them back together.
Fayeee noted 4:58AM and 5:52AM feedings today. At 6:46AM Male arrives.
Behavior note:
She doesn’t follow him out, as he usually follows her out even briefly at shift changes.
Already this morning, Remy and Sara are mimicking the male.
The male brings ornamentals, same as previously tagged male #17.
He tidies up and pulls twigs, pebbles and various objects into their nesting area
and this morning the chicks are picking up small twigs.
As cute as it is to watch Live, they are constantly learning.
Photos are washed due to sun glare.
Shift change did occur. A fantastic morning in the shed.
In the IR lighting, the easiest identifying trait from male to female still, is the difference in leg colors.
The female was with the chicks and the male arrives this morning.
Last evening about 7:40pm the male was with his chicks.
This morning, the female was with them.
From 4/17/2016
Wing flap photo from last evening. The male settled with the chicks and fun to watch them together. Both preened themselves, clearly stood on haunches, but photos weren’t clear enough to post.
Sara was flapping wings. See the males right leg/foot. Remy’s toes are atop the males leg.
Good view to compare as they grow.