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.
Also, at 36 days of age, from 2013, Stephen, Ethyl and Thiol.
Stevie, seated, Ethyl left,back. Thiol, right back.
These beautiful birds have changed my hobbies and habits and I hope everyday to see them again!
Remy, left. Sara, right. Beautiful BLVU.
Today, Remy is 36 days old. Sara is 35 days old.
From 5/13/2016.
Female exits after a visit.
Remy, back right.
Sara, front slightly to the left.
Beak differences are still noticeable, plus Sara has a tuft of down mid forehead.
Adding from 5/13/2016.
Sara up close, beautiful chick.
Remy with adult in the upper left corner of sink.
From yesterday, 5/13/2016.
On occasions when away from home and capture some beautiful moments or behaviors and don’t always add them in date and time stamp order. Here is one from early last evening.
Here is the list of things to watch for that were made at the beginning of the 2013 season (and expanded during the nesting period) to increase the understanding of black vulture nesting:
Adults:
• Ways to differentiate between the individual adults
• Frequency of their “changing the guard”
• Frequency of beak nuzzles upon changing the guard
• Feeding by one adult to another
• Feeding of chicks by regurgitation or by bringing carcasses to the nest
Courting & Mating:
• Mating at the nest site
• Mating relative to time of egg laying
Nest:
• Monitoring the site prior to egg laying
• Preparation of the site
• Objects at the site (bright objects, feathers, etc.)
Eggs & Incubation:
• Elapsed time between laying eggs
• How the pair shares incubation (percentage of time)
• Time adults are on the eggs vs time off.
• Frequency of moving/rolling over eggs
Chicks:
• Elapsed time between hatching of eggs
• Ways to differentiate between individual chicks
• Frequency of being fed
• Competition for food, if any
• Favoritism by adults, if any
• Preference for associating with other chicks, if present
• Timing of plumage changes.
• Extent of Mobility
• Ability to stand on feet as opposed to hocks
• Any other developmental observations
• Reaction to intruders, if any
• First flight
In addition, after birds are tagged, time and location of sightings would be helpful.
As I ran out of editing time,..
The adults from 2013 raised two foster chicks, but the male and his Stevie bonded.
Both Remy and Sara are very well taken care of by both adults and I want to say equally, but Remy does get top spot by insisting rather than any favoritism from either adult.
Wonder, if it’s gender more than being oldest. I tend to comment on Remy first only because chick is the oldest. They are each/both too cute in my opinion.
They try again to settle, sweet. Remy on the inside, Sara on the outside.
It has been this way from day one. Noting it as a behavior. Sara still attempts to be on the inside, but it just doesn’t happen and don’t seem that it will. The chicks are each thriving and mimicking each other, playing together. But, there are different behaviors when the adults are present.
In comparison with the adult tagged male #17 and tagged chick Stevie #26 from 2013, they sought out each others company.
At 11:04pm, they aren’t allowing her to sleep.
Remy insists on being under wing and pushes, Sara nips and pushes and no one is sleeping.
Since I began this comment, female is once again standing.
Leaning more towards the thought that the adults use wings to keep the chicks from flapping. As they get more excited at feeding time, the adults seem to react to their high energy by ducking and using their own wings.
Just a thought. As the adults feed, preen and continue to stay with the chicks, seems they attempt to lower the level of flaps and hops.
Good IR lighting! Female left about 8pm and returned 8:13pm.
Wings out slow approach.
They are tucked in and sleepy time as roost time came, seems we will have them in our view tonight.
Don’t blink, soon as I captured this moment, they got up!
NOTE:
Before getting too far ahead, last evening an adult stayed in the upper left corner of cam, with both chicks.
A quiet afternoon, both are fed and resting.
Female visited 12:43 Fayeee saw feeding.
They enjoy resting atop the carpet,
a fantastic day!
Remy and Sara enjoy the carpet. Still awaiting food.
beautiful and curious.
Curious Sara front, Remy near the sink.
Curious chicks, but waiting for food is probably top priority.
Curious Remy.
Pretty Female gives a few pecks at the carpet too.
The stance, Sara also was displaying, only differently. Sara had wings down, Remy had wings up. Frozen in time for about 15 seconds.
Sara pecks at her tail feathers. Feisty chick.
Female arrives. Remy and Sara respond with begs for food. The adults seem to react with wing gestures and appears they don’t care for the chicks flapping actions.
The adults seem to prefer to dart in and out of the high active beggings.
They are excellent providers as always, but things are changing in a wonderful way.