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.
They look reading to explore. A tumble over,legs aren’t ready completely, fun to see the daily changes.
10:18am
Top of blue plastic appears to be covered with droppings. In past seasons the adults flew up to that area and I’m thinking perhaps this is the night roost spot.
Feeding.
8:15am
From 4/22.
A cute moment, watching chick walking. They each stand tall and walking gets easier everyday.
Mainly scoots on haunches, but wonderful times for them.
Two little faces visible now.
7:17pm
Rain ended and it became quite a pleasant afternoon in the area.
The chicks have settled and looks like we may get to catch glimpses through the night.
7:16pm
2:04 pm. A lot of wing flapping and taking a couple of baby steps while wings were spread open.
Bob is aware the time is off. Also, Seems the cam was “moved” on its own.
Female exited the shed and the two try to cuddle. They are too cute.
Standing, walking, flapping. Cuddling…They truly are social creatures.
12:42 pm. Some wing exercising before settling down.
A good feeding for Remy and Sara.
It is a damp, rainy day in the nest area.
Despite the lighting outside.
High temps 58° and showers.
12:41pm
Female returns, feeding them. She still stays more in the nest bowl are, trying to coax them and they do stretch to her.
12:31pm feeding
Female arrived and fed the chicks. She still tends to stay closer to the nest bowl area and attempts to lure them back with food, sometimes they meet in the middle.
Female sets on her haunches and again, appears to be inviting the chicks towards her, but they don’t respond.
11:10:11AM
11:00 am Adult takes a break and is in the lower right hand corner of the picture. Time stamp on video is still off about an hour.
Good panning. They should stay still til morning. The chicks moved to Stevie’s nest bowl from 2013.
The time is still off about one hour.
Cuteness.
They had a nice nap, beginning to stir now, at 2:36pm.
NOTE: The time stamp on these are off by one hour still.
After the chicks walkabout they were lured out with food.
testing clarity of smaller sized photo
Sara empties crop and Remy pecks at dirt. A fun filled day for the chicks.
Sara side facial photo.
Side view of Remy’s face.
Remy. straight on face.
Sara, left. Remy, right.
They do each have personality differences and facial differences, trying to capture them still to get sharp pixels is tricky.
Ears are visible. Also since hatching, Oldest chick Remy’s face most often appears darker. Sara has a lighter color face and in most lightings, appears to have a more hooked beak.
There was a bee buzzing them and it created a fantastic moment to get some photos.
The two are walking and flapping wings today. They have been exploring and glad they came back for close ups.
Bob has been keeping up with them on other cams.