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.
Another cam in the rear hallway view. For new viewers.
The adults use this hall, however, its a fav spot for the chicks to run and flap.
Keep an eye on the green carpet. Each year it gets dragged around, used as a mat and as the chicks grow they practice tugging at it, preparing for tearing at carcasses.
Enjoy the links above. There is a map of the shed, photos and videos that take us from mating, to eggs, to pip, to hatch, first feedings, shift changes,first steps, hops to the wall and a lot of high energetic wing flaps, tagging days and more.
A fantastic gift to his mate, the adult male created a beautiful stone circle.
This is a large sink! This photo from the center hall shows the inside of the sink.
Noting the ornamentals. One black feather, sticks and small stones.
The male BLVU collect gifts for their females. I have a couple photos from this 2017 season to add. Her male created a small stone circle. He will include corn cobs, sticks, feathers, stones and more. 24/7 viewing times cams are color and IR.
Hello Jennifer,
Nice screen shot! Thank You and please continue to post them.
In the past, adult and chicks have been tagged on their wings. So far, the tagged BLVU haven’t returned to nest inside the shed, which makes it not so easy to ID them.
Close ups of them last season showed very familiar face markings of the untagged adult female returned but without her tagged male tagged #17.
We need to get more familiar with them now to notice if they may be the same pair. When they are together, the female is slightly larger.
After you watch them long enough, there’s tell tale signs, the male enters slow and cautious. Usually his head is down.
Looking promising for another fantastic nesting season!
Jennifer- There is enough space for next building behind the upturned sink and they have been mating and scratching out a hollow for a nest there. AND we have it covered with another camera. Expecting to see eggs within a couple weeks now.
2/18/2017.
BLVU mating inside shed, in front of sink.
Spotted by Bob and Eagleaddict3.
No photos.
They arrived about 3:02PM and exited 3:26pm.
Probably enjoying a fine weather day, 65° in the nest area.
What is the difference between male and female black vulture. Captured this image of vulture this morning. Was in just for a moment, then exited before both coming back in at at 10:26 and 10:28am
First screenshot of BLVU inside, 2017 season.
Two untagged adults entered the shed at 10:26AM and 10:28AM 2/13/2017.
Extremely windy day today and not long after seeing them enter and seeing at least one exit
The cam went off air.
Very nice to see a pair in the nest again this year. I have a question. Is the area behind that counter looking thing that i just watched them jump behind large enough for nest and eggs? Cant see back there to watch progress so i hope eggs are laid on this side where the camera can see.
2/10/2017.
Bob reported no motion detected on cams.
2/11/2017.
I did not see live action, although there is a new black feather atop the green carpet. Seems perhaps today the male offered his female an ornamental/gift.
Bob,
I’ve got your comments to add here and the forum. Mating in the shed,..Shouldn’t be long now.
I Hope to be back online soon. Looks promising!
Wonderful news. Thanks Bob.
A pair of untagged vultures mated inside the shed yesterday and three days ago around mid-day (12:30 to 1:30 EST). Looks as if we will have a family in the shed again this year.
Adding from 7/06/2016.
As of today, the two young vultures are doing great. They have officially flown the distance that confirms a full-fledge.
Very exciting to see all four together yesterday.
So much has happened in their lives, Life Is Good for the BLVU family.
UPDATE: Two black vulture chicks fledged. So much has happened, they have names, tags and identified, one male and one female!
I will continue to take note and get the pages current, a fantastic season winding down and it will be documented as so!
Hours after this time frame, storm quite possibly caused the cam to go Off Air and it will be days before it is fixed.
In the days that pass, amazing things have happened to the chicks. Wondered would they be recognizable and most times one can be Identified from the other.
A wonder filled early day with the good folk at Tri-State and some amazing young vultures.
A full moon setting on our way to meet the group at Tri-State today, a summer solstice begins and two blvu chicks sleep their first night with tagged wings. So many more photos and stories to add.
Adding from 6/06/2016
Fayeee comments from Social Stream. Hours after this storm possibly knocked out cam.
Took quite a few days to get it running again.
Adding from 6/06/2016.
After possibly spending the night away, adult enters the shed. Adults whereabouts Overnights get are a mystery.
Adding from 6/05/2013.
The chicks waited for adult but roost time came and they slept alone in the shed.
If adult was overhead, it’s not known.
Adding from 6/05/2016.
A stormy day, curious chicks, cautious but not ready for a soaking bath.
Fayeee notes they do like to flap in the breeze. At this time they were perhaps unsure
What to do.
Adding from 6/05/2016.
The dreaded sticky tape returned, they had a tugowar over it, again.
They pull toys out from under the pallet and some toys I have no idea where they come from.
I need to take more notice to their green carpet.
Adding from 6/05/2016.
Takes focus and balance to learn to walk the wall.
Adding from 6/05/2016.
All four blvu in the patio/wall area. What a way to start the day.
The smallest little life lessons, for instance hopping to the wall is very good.
Adding from 6/4/2016.
Rolling along in the dirt in their favorite spot.