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.
Adding more from 5/29/2016.
Need to look close, but they are all there. Beautiful.
The following morning both the adults await their morning greeting, although the male had visited earlier from Fayeee’s comments.
Nighttime patio from 5/28/2016.
The patio area at night. No chicks, but a different view of their sunny resting spot.
Photo follows.
A view of the rear hallway without chicks. The two keep Bob busy switching cameras.
After an evening sleeping alone in the nest bowl area, adult arrives looking for the chicks,
Sleeping alone, but chicks aren’t settled yet.
Adding from the early morning hours of 5/28/2016, Fayeee writes comments.
5:01am chicks asleep, no parent
5:37am waking up
5:42am standing and preening
5:46am chicks are now on rug
5:52am time for flapping contest
6:09am back standing on the green rug
6:17am female arrives, then off cam, chicks jump and flap, maybe feeding
Too Cute. Relaxing day.
Beautiful chicks enjoying a sunny day.
From the early morning hours of 5/28/2016, Fayeee writes comments.
5:01am chicks asleep, no parent
5:37am waking up
5:42am standing and preening
5:46am chicks are now on rug
5:52am time for flapping contest
6:09am back standing on the green rug
6:17am female arrives, then off cam, chicks jump and flap, maybe feeding
Adding from 5/27/2016.
Chicks are alone, one tucked tight in the corner, as they spend more time without the parents they have begun to attempt to sleep upright, but those beautiful wings get heavy.
Adding from 5/26/2016.
Evening roost time and female arrives at 7:15pm says Fayeee.
Earlier in the evening, good feedings.
Remy was pushy but Sara ate well, just took a bit longer.
Early morning feedings says Fayeee. Then they went exploring.
Taking note of the play things.
Carpet, string, pebbles.
Adding from 5/25/2016.
Sleepy time.
Adding from 5/24/2016.
Curious chicks. dragging around play things and getting along. Mimic each other quite a bit now. One flaps wings and the other joins in, comical.
Note:
Often, when traveling the quality of the photos is noticeably changed. Some will be out of date order and others will be less sharp. Which will be the case over the next few dates of photos, coming from three different devices.
Adding from 5/25/2016.
Quiet night, but not still. They twitch n jump from sleep, growing pains.
Adding one more from 5/23/2016.
Wonderful to see them together.
Appears the chicks are being fed.
Wonderful moment from 5/23.
Sara once again decided to steer clear. This feeding wasn’t as ‘energetic’ as
the prior feeding. Remy clearly dominated without the urgency as before.
Chick actually used the body to steer the adult back and shoulder out Sara.
Without flaps and eye contact.
Remy moves in, steered adult backwards and left Sara standing.
Female returns and attempts to feed Sara, Remy did jump in and take over.
Backed up adult clear out of view. Feisty chick used the head and body to steer adult backwards.
Blurred but they were flapping and moving fast. Remy seemed to use head and wings to push Sara away.
At 2:00pm adult returns and attempts to feed Sara and Remy takes over, leans into the adult and the adult backed up and off cam.
Sara at feeding. Chick got to eat after all.
They have grown so much, wings and feathers are coming in wonderfully.
Tug-O-war and Remy got a large chunk of grub. Chick was so excited, still didn’t stop.