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 form 6/02/2016
Resting blvu, beautiful. Chicks upright and feathers are more visible each day.
Off Air today, this morning adult arrived and chicks followed outside to the “yard” as Fayeee calls it.
Sara took off up the path. Then off air, it’s a warm day.
They are probably exploring OR staying cool in the dirt at home.
We went driving to look for Stevie #26 and no BV sightings. Found the gps area and no sign of a rk deer, its more than likely gone/picked up by now.
He’s so close… but there are so many wonderful trees to hide out in, in the heat of the day. and to be honest, it feels pretty good to know he is alive and well.
Adding from 6/02/2016.
Nighttime resting well, upright.
Adding from 6/02/2016.
Quiet and still for now.
Adding from evening of 6/02/2016.
Chicks sleep less now, sitting upright and occasionally attempting to sleep standing, head tucked in, very cute.
*between feedings, had changed it at least 4 times but editing time ran out.
Adding from 6/02/2016.
Early morning feeding, an early start. Female entered and exited in between feelings, off cam could hear them. Fayeee heard them being fed.
Adding from 6/01/2016 Evening.
Suspect adult male arrives as (he) has done the last few evening now.
Fayeee and I feel that the couple evenings that the chicks spent alone without an adult were when (she) female stopped sleeping inside the shed.
The male may have taken over night shift duty these days.
Since then (he) lands on the wall and remains there before heading into the shed usually around 8:15-8:30pm.
Adding from 6/01/2016.
“Rubber chickens”
These two really enjoy this spot in the shed.
They spent a lot of time here. Laid flat, stretched out legs or head in cuddled.
cont’d-
Slippery slope, adult slips from the edge and slides into the water.
Comes out with wings flapping and the chicks mimic the actions.
All three were posturing and after this, the chicks went inside to the comfort of home before they decided to try again later.
The best laid plans…
cont’d-
Sara walks into the grass, Remy is ready to hop up. A nice sip of water is good, but-
Adding from 6/01/2016.
Exciting day! Ready for exploring…
Adding from 6/01/2016.
As the day progresses adult continues to hop to the wall, to the cinder block, back inside, coaxing and encouraging the chicks to join in.
Another fun adventure. Remy likes climbing.
Sara is just as curious only less adventurous or perhaps more cautious.
Beautiful!
Adding from 6/01/2016 2 of 2.
Sara, profile.
Adding from 6/01/2016. 1 of 2.
Sara, one stunning young vulture.
Adding from 6/01/2016.
An artists imagery of young black vulture’s mummery also known as
blurred pixels from quick motion on the center hall cam.
It is sharpened but for the most part, it had a beauty to it that I wanted to share.
Remy stretches and Sara looks on.
Adding from 6/01/2016.
Fantastic to see how each day they are so curious. Some things are old, Remy eats and Sara waits. Somethings are new, a fine patio area for play and nap.
They continue to spend a lot of time close by each other, but more and more they will appear alone but never for long, usually the sibling runs, jumps and hops to get back to the other.
Adding from 6/01/2016.
New behavior from both adults and it continues to date.
The adults enter and coax the chicks to follow them. They walk out, back in and repeat. At this early stage they haven’t quite caught on yet, but it doesn’t take long.
The chicks mimic and copy the adults and even friendly competition wing flaps, jumps and hops between themselves. They are too cute.
Also noting that the adults are very cautious entering due to being mobbed for food, not an overstatement. Especially Remy, who pushes adult and pushes Sara to get food. Sara has been seen to walk away and wait. Feeding time is serious business.
Back to the morning hours after sunrise, on 6/1/2016.
Adult (suspect male) is exiting the shed. Both were not seen, so assuming there is just one adult at this time.
Adding from 5/31/2016. 3 of 3.
Life is good, a fine evening. Once again, wee hours of the morning.
A lot of stretching goes on, wings and legs.
Typo on June 3, 2016 comment, the date is incorrect. There is no 5/32/2016. It is 5/31/2016. 1 of 3.
Adding from 5/31/2016.
Continued, 2 of 3.
Adult male preens his chick.
Adding 3 more from 5/32/2016. 1 of 3.
The last few evenings Fayeee n I both agree/feel the adults have changed nighttime sleeping shifts.
There were a couple nights the chicks slept alone and since the adult male has taken over, they are no longer sleeping alone.
We feel that once the female ceased to roost/ sleep with the chicks in the shed, it was only soon after that he began to spend the night inside the shed.
The adult male has developed a pattern of sorts. It is early evening, he lands on the wall and about 8:15pm in the evening, he makes his way in for the night.
In 2013 the tagged adult male #17 did the same. He began spending evenings inside the shed with the chicks. This is subject to change at any given minute, but for now, we are noting it as a behavior.
This morning, chicks slept in.
Adult entered and walked through, came out fluffy feathers and walked to the wall. Turned around and went back inside. Minutes later the three emerged.