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.
Female settles them quickly. Chicks are growing fast.
Day to day before our eyes, Tori can look straight into the females eyes.
Ren is 15 days old, Tori is 14 days old.
Tori preens the female. Chick was grooming her along the neck and discovered her eyes.
Probably the nictitating membrane was curiosity for the chick since Tori kept poking at her eye.
Standing and flapping, they copy each other, good fun and good company for each other.
Cam is back On Air, thanks for getting cam up and running.
Two days later, the chicks are standing and walking.
Walking in circles, but they are standing, taking steps and flapping.
Adding from 4/16.
Fayeee noted quite a few feedings throughout the day and into the evening.
Appears both chicks had full crops. All the battling stopped.
Adding from 4/16
Overnight grow spurt. Adult male and Ren.
The most beautiful lighting of the day inside the shed. Glad they rest and wait for the male.
Beautiful lighting on them.
Tori continues to request food, female tucked her head in, suggesting a nap.
Temps jumped to 66° already, heading for a warm day.
Bumpy start to the day.
Seems food is low and the chicks were battling this morning.
Tori fought back. First time chick didn’t lower head and take it.
They spared for over 5 minutes until female covers them to settle.
Hope they get a good food source today.
These chicks are 12/11 days old.
Growing so fast. Strong and healthy.
Too cute they are so curious.
Both left the nest area today.
Logging in this morning, one visible chick.
They’ve begun walkabouts!
Adding from 4/14.
Adult male has visited the chicks, a few times and he appeared to be returning over and over
to the area under cam. I said, seems like he’s coaxing them to follow and he surely did.
One chick was out of view, seconds partially visible, at evening time, Female and chicks returned to the sink area to sleep.
Adding from 4/14.
Not a lot has changed, they played a little, off and on left alone.
Adding from 4/14
Ren (right) Tori (left)
The adults seems to have been searching for food, leaving them alone for a bit longer at times. They did well.
What cute chicks. Growing fast.
A long line of additional photos are continued in the Raptor X Forum. Easily available on the right of the cam, in bright orange.
Beautiful female.
Ren close, Tori center cam. Oh they are getting around even better this morning, legs are getting stronger.
Not such early risers today.
8:14am Preening time, Ren gets a bite to eat.
8:21am brief moment chicks are alone.
8:23am grunts off cam and female returns soon after.
Adult female, Ren (left) Tori (right).
Adding from 4/13pm evening.
Safe and secure, all is well.
Today was a day for scooting, pecking and resting.
The chicks begin to get around more and gaining a bit of distance.
Albeit mainly traveling in circles.
Songdog8 saw a chick get ahold of adults tongue at feeding.
Two sides to Tori’s situation. Ren is nearly always going to be front and center. Tori adapts, what’s so right about this is the face time with the female. Preening and bonding is happiness.
Adding from 4/13 evening.
Female couldn’t get settled, chicks weren’t still, so she stepped over them and tried a different angle, which worked.
From 4/13 morning.
The handsome male is striking in the morning light.
He and the adult female were back and forth a few times today and listening outside.
Alert to their surroundings. All is good.
Minutes apart from the previous photo, she can and does cover them completely when it’s her wish.
Another fantastic day for the BLVU family.
Female returns. She is keeping the chicks tucked close, using her beak she’s pulled them gently towards her a couple times already.
Male with the chicks, after a couple shift changes today. They’re eating good , full crops and resting today. What a grow spurt for them both.