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.
Its about the parents. They think Stephen Colbert is cute. Even delicious. What can I say?
Bob,
Speaking of hungry BV’s, how about Thiol and Ethyl?
Or BV1 and BV2?
Or chicks?
lol
Carol likes Bella, I like Thiol.
Mom can be Ethyl or Marcia, dad can be Captan, chicks Bella and Thiol. oh no, I won’t be able to modify this will I?
Actually, they were such memorable names that I’d forgotten. TS-13BV1 and TS-13BV2, BV! and BV2 for short. When we see how absolutely adorable the chicks are, we’ll probably laugh at ourselves.
Actually, they were such memorable names that I’d forgotten. TS-13BV1 and TS-13BV2.
Thanks, Bob.
Lynn, we are going to have to let the parents decide then. They would be very disappointed if we hung our very formal and most unimaginative names – TS-BV1 and TS-BV2 – on the chicks. Can’t wait, TS-BV Parents.
Last year the hatching took place over a 43 hour period, beginning 39 days after the first egg was laid. That would put the beginning at April 11th. Last year we got good, close-up video, including seeing the egg tooth working its way through the eggs shell. See the “Hatching Sequence” page. Here’s hoping the parents roll the eggs out to where we can use the zoom camera.
There’s no number to call. Tri-State people just wait and watch like everybody else.
The parents decided to name their chicks “Stephen” and “Colbert,” after the late night TV personality. The parents said they thought Mr. Colbert was cute and they thought about him often, especially when they were hungry. The chicks are expected to hatch sometime this week.
It looks here as if incubating parent has moved a bit to the side and left the first (heavily splotched) egg exposed. At this point, close to hatch, it is very possible chick is “talking” and parent is listening. Parent will respond in some way. Since the sounds BVS make are defensive sounds,I am not sure what “talking” consists of here, The movement of the chick may be what the parent senses.
Hi Bob,
When the eggs begin to hatch, what is the protocol?
Do we post info and wait?
Tri-State closes at 5 p.m. Is there a Hatch Watch on call number?
Thanks!
Lynn
Can that be an eggshell outside of P right wing? already? I’ve been watching and checked photos somethings there that wasnt there before, not in photos.
Forgot to mention the feather is laying near eggs, it came out.
4/6 4:49 pm P arrives, walks around and goes to the eggs.
4/6 4:44 pm P leaves shed.
4/6 Nuthatch was hopping around in the shed, cute. About 4:15 p.m.
P wasn’t interested. Noticed P has a feather that is sticking out.
When turned into corner could see something was a little off, but now that P is turned around it appears to be a long feather on left side that is sticking straight out.
When or how did that happen? Maybe a shift change when I was out? I think last night was the first time I saw something protruding out, will look at photos… any one see?
I was thinking that P was in a food scuffle?
4/6 noontime eggs were unattended for undetermined amount of time!
4/6
good morning everyone!
About 10:00 a.m. it has been noted in SS that P was up off eggs, standing in shed for 5 minutes but did not leave.
I missed it, no photos. drats, can I say that?
Lynn, the behavior you noted around 9:30 P.M. last night appears to indicate that we are very close to the hatch. By this time, the shell will have thinned as calcium has been continuously removed for the developing bones of the chick. At the same time, an air space has formed to allow the chick to begin pressing against the shell. Breathing begins and the chick will start to call to the incubatig parent. If we have sound at the time, we would hear the parent respond, encouraging the chick’s struggle (a lng and difficult one) to break through. I hope some of you do have sound so that you can experience the excitement of this. I had it briefly, but not presently. Happy viewing and happy listening.
4/5
9:30 & 9:33 p.m. eggs rolled. P must be sensing something had beak on egg for a few seconds.
Welcome, John. It would not be advisable to invade their space. They may have eggs, and you don’t want them to abandon them or their nesting area if they have one. It can also be a very messy and unpleasant experience if they react to your presence in typical fashion.
Perhaps you could use some kind of a blind a bit away from your trailers and catch some photos that way. I live 40 miles north of Pittsburgh and do have many Turkey Vultures, but haven’t yet been able to say for sure that we have Black Vultures in this area. I am going to set out some spoiled meat or carrion this coming week to see if I can attact both BVs and TVs. I have an old abandoned barn on my property and hope that I can attract them for a future nesting season.
Happy viewing and be sure to ask questions if you have any.
Test of Time. 4/5
Seems time on Forum is an hour behind EDT. I am posting this at 3:25 pm.
https://plus.google.com/104960470265656221386/photos
Here are some of my birding photos. Mainly BV and TV photos, a few others. I have so much more to add, but hope people will enjoy these.
It’s been a real treat and want to share it.
I have a pair in an old trailer on he back of my land near my dogs barn . Would it be wise of me go in for a photo. ? I live in sdsburyville pa. frst year I have seen them .
4/5 11:43 a.m. P arrives, is very excited, rapid movements.
11:45 am P rolls eggs and pulls them farther out of view.
11:54 am P nervous/excited long neck, staring at door, runs outside.
11:57 am P returns.
Got excellent photos of P entering shed at 11:56 a.m.
Bulging crop.
Wondering if they are on a good size roadkill? Since yesterday, Ps were in and out a lot and the latest photos, P has a huge filled crop, will post photos later today and try to determine if it is the same P or had they switched.
Meanwhile, eggs rolled at 1:04 pm and P pulls them farther back.
Thanks again for getting Cam On Air.
When parent was off the nest this morning, it was easy to see the differences in the pigmentation of the eggs. I was only present for the laying of the second egg which took place very quickly. The series of spots is more typical of eggs that have moved quickly through the oviduct. The large splotched area at the blunt end of the first egg is more typical of a slower process. Did anyone get to observe the laying of the first egg? Just wondering if these are true to the norm, although with vultures in general I’m not so sure there is a norm. It is customary for the first egg to take a bit longer.
Thank you! Saw cam on air at 10:57 a.m. SO far no P in shed. It is 11:22 am