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.
Speaking of pushing and shoving, egg shell just opened!
Pip coming along.
She keeps her head down, chick under chin.
Speaking of pushing, pip is at 27 hours. Egg tooth working away.
Push and be pushed. He tries again and she won’t budge.
Beak nuzzling and feeding, the adults share a moment.
Sometimes it’s seemingly caring and bonding. Sometimes
It’s food drop going through the motion.
Awake, hungry crying for food. Cute chick is growing like a weed.
Interesting behavior, the male spends a lot of time in the alley, under the cam.
When the chick cried he grunts and comes to the nest bowl over and over..
It won’t be long, he will arrive again.
The adults push and shove as he wants a shift change and she says I’m disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means “no.” (Barbosa, I had to…)
The male is keeping watch under the cam in the alley area. Through the night, when chicks cries for food, he responds back with grunts and goes to the nest bowl.
Chick is very vocal, hungry. Eating a lot, growing so fast.
Male isn’t far, he’s just in the corner of the hallway. When chick cries out he comes to investigate.
He’s been visiting the nest bowl frequently at late hours and delivered food drops to his female.
He settles then soon as chick makes a peep, he’s right there.
Female, feeding chick and visible pip, at 15 hours. (12:59am) at 5pm.
Wonderful. Chick is so tiny, but already getting stronger.
Saying hello.
Adult male and chick’s first meeting.
Male feeds his female, before she exits. He is facing in towards the chick and she is facing out.
After 3rd feeding, chick is upright and making tiny grunt sounds.
Originally thought it is the female talking to her chick,
Sharp view shows it’s the chick being vocal.
After feeding, upright. Gentle egg roll.
Feeding!
Feeding
Resting, it’s been hard work for the chick.
Pip looks good on egg #2.
Wonderful.
Chick looking alert and strong.
Female talks to the chick in gentle grunts.
Fantastic!
Now for the photo… Chick is under her chin.
Chick arrives and second egg has pip!!! It’s 4:32/4:33am.
On iPad and screen shifted and I didn’t get the time n date stamp.
Very exciting news!!!
Great close up. Pip on egg, day 40.