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 5/9
Fayeee says the female was feeding both chicks at the same time today.
Adding from 4/9
More solid foods now. An occasional tugging match with (female) adult, but it too is teaching them.
Adding from 4/9
First seen chick ‘ps” seen by Fayeee was today.
Each day now, more and more little events happen, familiar and too cute.
Female reacts to the actions usually by lying down and covering them up. Done deal, good going.
Beautiful morning. Quiet for now, but only minutes later, about 8:35am Ren clobbered Tori.
Same as Remy 2016 once again, be it food or body language. Ren bites Tori’s beak and neck and at times don’t let go.
Adding from earlier on 4/8 12:10:19pm
Ren was scooting after the male for food. As chick scoots and he back up,
Tori flaps with head dow and wants a turn to eat too.
Today was a fantastic day for the chicks.
They watch the adults and learn, then mimic. They were scooting along, both of them. More wing flaps and even lifting up on haunches to eat, while flapping.
Tori fills up at night.
Ren is able to lift up on haunches to eat. They each have been flapping wings a bit.
The male spends time with the chicks.
Then he returns.
Ren still has the top spot.
His stay was brief.
Ren and Tori cuddle.
Wonderful things are happening now.
They enjoy each other’s warmth and company.
Adding from 4/08.
Morning shift change.
Beak nuzzles food drop then shift change.
Adding from 4/07, evening,
At 5:50pm the male was with Ren and Tori . Small feeding event, then shift changed had occurred since then. Female is with the chicks at 8:55pm.
All safe and sound. Warm and dry.
Parent approaching.
On their own. 4:46 P.M.
Chicks left on their own mid-afternoon. Just a bit of “nipping” at each other, but they also discovered that they could hold each other up with cooperation.
Screen capture: 04/07 4:40 P.M.
Adult male, he male has learned considerably as well.
Still settles at night below the cam, visits the family through the night, attempts shift change…
biggest improvement is his feedings. He has been feeding both chicks good solid foods.
Ren continues to be top chick in the pile. A fantastic morning, turns into a fantastic afternoon as all three rest while female is off camera.
Tori has begun imitating, it has been one amazing event after another this morning.
The male was pulling in tiny sticks and stones into the nest bowl area and Tori imitated him so well.
Ren and Tori, upright, looking into each others eyes. Beak nuzzling and playful.
The male was interesting in the back hall.
After a soaker of a day, beautiful color and sunlight.
Full crops, learning fast. A fantastic day.
Tori’s big accomplishment at 3 days old!
Had a brief moment upright on haunches. Reaching and stretching with better balance.
Ren’s big accomplishment at 4 days old.!
Eating up on haunches, reaching for food. Chick received solid food.
Made attempt to scoot but didn’t get anywhere.
Adding one more photo from this morning, since they seem to grow before our eyes.
Adult female, from left to right, Ren (L) Tori (R)
Note the extreme footage.
Male continues to reside in the alley, under cam.
Tori gets very vocal when Ren uses wings or beak to hold (him/her) down.
Happened to Sara and chick adapted well, So Tori will adapt too.
The male grunts and comes to assist.
A beautiful family photo. He did attempt a shift change earlier, Fayeee says female denied him
again, he tries and walks away, but not far…
Reminded me, in 2013, the last nesting season of her tagged male #17, he too loved a good rain.
After a long winter and warming temps, it probably felt glorious to them.
They each were flapping wings and taking it in. Although his spring shower was not a soaker like hers. Raindrops are visible in his silhouette.
See his wing for yellow tag…