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.
Cute as can be. Sara has been asserting some confidence today, I say with a huge smile. Behind Remy, getting the upper hand, is somewhat rare.
A chilly morning in the nest area, they were slow to get going. It’s 9:50am and activity time is coming. Remy walked out of view and returned. Fell over, legs and wings going, but got right back up. Reminder they learn a little everyday, but lots more to get down.
Today, Remy is 16 days old. Hatched 4/11.
Sara is 15 days old. Hatched 4/12.
Behaviors and traits are somewhat consistent.
Remy still seems to take the lead, even in the most subtle ways.
They are too cute and watching them together reminds me that vultures are very social.
Female still attempts to tuck the chicks under her beak to gently bring them back to the nest bowl area. She used to move the eggs this way and the tiny new chicks. However, it no longer works.
A good feeding and mobile chicks, wonderful.
Sara was walking and flapping wings. Then chewed on feather toy. Busy day.
Sara upright, Remy stretched out. What a day, they get stronger and even more cuter everyday.
Cute Remy with a full crop.
Female relaxes with her chicks, but I couldn’t help but notice behind her…
Yes, they were sleeping, as adult leaves the shed, they appear to have been woken by the adults departure.
Pretty lighting still.
Beautiful lighting.
Unsure where the chicks are at this time.
They went off zoom view at 4:17PM, each one walked to the right and out of view.
If they are in front of the adult, they are sleeping, it’s been still.
By vulture standards, still. Cam is moving from gusty winds.
Excellent footing.
Sara has kibbles and Remy is standing to eat, legs getting stronger every day.
Life is good. A warm day 84° with blustery winds.
Adult moving the feather and a cute little stretched out leg and foot.
A lovely feather marks the nesting area.
Sara is outside again. Not at any time is chick in need! I note it as a Behavior to log. Remy continues to be insistent. First, it was food dominant and now daily jockeying for top spot with the female.
Haven’t noticed a tight bond with either adult to either chick yet this season. They get along so well, but Remy continues to be more assertive and insistent. Perhaps, female.
Sara gets face time with the adults and it’s cute to watch them look at each other.
What a fantastic bunch, beautiful vultures.
Standing and wing flaps, more frequent.
Remy stands, flaps and nudges in for a spot under wing.
From this morning, another photo of the beautiful female. Remy under wing and Sara on the outside. Sara has been outside a lot more than Remy, now that there’s barely room for one underneath. Remy usually gets in closest.
Cute to see Sara taking steps. Chick tried to walk around the female but a rock was in the way. Sara flaps the wings and turns around.
The IR from last night, showing the beautiful female standing. In this cam lighting the markings of the adults appear different. Here is a good look at her legs.
The deep V brow isn’t noticeable but her marble colored legs are a good marker.
As they get ready to attempt to settle.
Remy, the oldest, on the left. Sara, the youngest, on the right.
Sometimes the differences between the two can be seen more clearly, for instance the beak shapes.
Since hatching Remy has a flatter beak and Sara has a curved hook.
I also like the differences in their (foreheads) especially seen here. Remy has the downy fluff forward and Sara has the downy fluff more retracted.
It’s the first time I’ve seen the chicks doing this, the parents do it often.
A shift change last evening. Not much interaction between the adults. No food drops.
A fantastic morning so far. What a stretch. Both Remy and Sara are upright and curious as ever.
A chilly morning, feeding time about 7:05am
Both Remy and Sara were peaking out from underwing.
Abt 9:15pm.