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 from 5/31/2016.
As roost time approaches, they prepare to head inside for the evening.
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Remy was stable, perched, turned around, hopped down had snack.
Sara looked on. Brave chick was on the ground, off the plank.
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Remy hopped atop the wall, fantastic!!
At 50 days old.
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Sara takes a step off the plank and Remy revs it up. Flapping.
Watching parent so close but so far away.
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Adults have been coaxing chicks, example hopping to the wall, then off, hopping back up… they watch with such curiosity.
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Life Lessons and the chicks take in so much.
Male adult continues to teach his chicks.
They mimic and learn things they will carry with them.
He’s recently shown them dirt baths, ornamental toy gathering…
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Plsying and exercising take a lot of energy.
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Sara.
Each of the two have begin hopping, jumping and flapping.
Mimic, by stretching and beak feaking, playing with toys.
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Remy.
Overnight the “chicks” have developed into young vultures.
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Amazing, beautiful. Excellent lighting.
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Sara front, Remy behind with head down.
Adding from 5/30/2016.
Memorial Day.
5/31/2016 photo.
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Continuing to explore and possibly learn the floor patterns of “home”
they each are finding a little independence for short periods of time apart from their sibling.
Photo follows.
Adding from 5/30/2016.
Checking out the front sink area and beyond.
Noted to check for head and wings when chicks aren’t visible in the nest area.
Adding from 5/30/2016.
Remy, standing tall and rubber necking to peak outside. Leaps and bounds for the chicks now.
Chick performs a horaltic pose of sorts.
Adding from 5/30/2016.
Wee A.M. hours.
Significant difference in those wings now.
Adding from 5/30/2016.
Wee hours, storms heavy rains, chicks remain comfy n dry.
Adding from 5/30/2016.
Wee A.M. Hour.
More feathers, less down, upright, sleeping less.
Adding from 5/29/2016.
Sara not interested in sleeping yet.
Beautiful wing spread.
Adding from 5/29/2016.
Remy tucks head under standing upright and Sara enjoys a glorious stretch before sleep.
They have been increasingly active. They hop, jump and skip through the shed and when the wings flap, the two chicks fill up the space.
Adding from 5//292016.
Listening. Remy upright, Sara laying.
Adding from 5/29/2016.
Roosting time approached as Remy and Sara prepared to rest for the night.
Grown so fast. Feathers coming in, chicks attempt to sleep upright, more and more, they sleep without an adult in the next area.
Sara looking curious as ever, Remy has observed the adult male, feaking his beak, now Remy mimics the behavior.
The last couple days the adults increasingly show the chicks actions/instructions repeatedly at times, life’s lessons.