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.
from 4/24
Adult exited and reentered from Remy’s rock, disappeared down the hallway and returned.
Upon arrival, the chicks had heads and wings down and hissed loudly and long.
One of the chicks lunged towards him and bit at him. Feisty chicks, learning well and
some instinct just kicks in.
from 4/24.
Male arrives and feeds Ren. He clearly ignores Tori.
Tori eats very well from the female, when Ren is already fed and has full crop.
From day One the adult male has taken to Ren and although he occasionally feeds and preens Tori, more than not he ignores the younger chick.
In 2013 tagged adult male #17 adored his male chick Stephen/Stevie. So, I don’t feel he ignores Tori because chick may be a male. Ren is demanding and Tori has flap n stomping fits and the adult male turns away.
Tori is healthy and eats well, but watching the body language, chick mopes at times. Curious behavior from an adult.
Adding from 4/23.
Female prepares the chicks for the night.
Adding from 4/23.
Feathers are coming in. Chicks relax. growing pains occur,
they extend the legs and wings, stretch, then cuddle.
Greetings, Claudia!
Thank You, These vulture adults are incredibly
dedicated to their chicks.
We watch and learn along with them!
Will update photos here soon, have some out of order and need to get them in first.
Please visit the Raptor X Forum, in orange, a link to the right of cam.
More photos and details there, more series of photos and info.
Greetings! Really helpful guidance on this article!
It really is the little changes that make the biggest changes.
Thanks a lot for sharing!
Alert, curious and perhaps staring at adult in the hallway.
They have begun exploring.
They hesitate, take one step at a time, then realization everything is awesome,
they seem pleased. They do each have expressions and behaviors.
Quiet morning, preening and playing.
Today, the two laid cuddled, taking turns whose wing is on top.
Adult was near, heard hissing sounds and the chicks sat very still and listening.
Tori, left. Ren, right.
Soon after she exits, the male arrives and here is Tori, following Ren and the adult male.
Very cute, Ren saw Tori coming and went to greet him/her.
Note: 4/22 7:52am there were sounds below the cam and both chicks briefly went out of view.
Adding from 4/22. morning.
Adult female and Ren preen each other.
Beautiful.
Adding from 4/21.
Readying her chicks for the night. All is well and good.
A long way to go still. Molting continues for adult/s.
A good comparison of the chicks size to the adult feather.
Thunder rolls n everyone is awake. Soft rains.
“Song” laughs the adult (female) was using chick for a pillow.
Growing pains, extreme footage and itchy feathers coming in…
Alert and healthy. The adult male exited and the two cuddled and relaxed.
Tori, front. Ren, rear.
Tori, Close-up.
Fayeee says the male arrived 8:46am with food.
At 8:50am he went off cam and the chicks followed but quickly returned to nest.
Ren is off cam, Tori takes a leap off the beam, it was very cute.
Chick used wings for balance.
A grand stretch before settling down to sleep.
Female with Ren out of view, after adding the photos,
the three rest.
The male has settled with Ren and Tori is wanting attention and/or food.
Getting some good flapping in.
When Ren is happy, everyone is happy. The male preens Ren, Tori preens Ren.
The male also played and pecked in the dirt. They watched.
Beautiful.
Minutes later it appeared he was talking them out of cam view again, exploring.
But then again not, he returned to the nest and laid down, continuing life lessons…
Male feeds Ren standing upright. Wonderful, chicks are getting stronger everyday.
Tori was awake and more active at this time (rear) Ren was trying to nap (front.)
Ren has less down feathers on the face, a broader forehead. Longer, straighter looking beak.
Tori has more down feathers around the face and beak appears not as pointed.
Tori seems to have darker circles around the eyes, but this changes with lighting, but sometimes it is helpful in identifying him/her.
At 6:41 am Fayeee says the male grunted and 6:45am he arrives (in view.)
Cam was off briefly but once back on air, she saw feeding.
Since 7:43am they have been alone.
Note two adult feathers, molted.
They will replace one or two at a time so the process won’t impact their flight.
Two wonderful playthings for the chicks.
As always they jockey for top spot but here’s Tori for a brief moment, head atop Ren.