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.
Adding from 5/26.
More often now they attempt to feed together.
Adding from 5/26.
Tug-O-War between chicks.
During feeding, Ren wants to eat first and more often grabs food from sibling and adult.
Adding from 5/25.
Coming back down was tricky.
Chick gently falls back down, using wings to balance.
Adding from 5/25.
Ren had discovered that the cinder block is a good spot for
perching and enables chick to easily reach the rafters and more.
See chicks feet!
Adding from 5/21.
Adult male arrives and feeds Ren.
Adding from 5/21.
Something had their attention. They are curious about so many things!
Beautiful color. Both chicks have been enjoying the familiar green carpet. Ren usually has the carpet and Tori gets the edges.
But, here’s Tori on the carpet.
Primaries are coming in nicely, both stand upright for longer amounts of time now.
Adding from 5/19.
Patio here I come!
Energetic chick, they both run back and forth now,
patio to sink and back again. Hard to keep up with them these days.
Two hops and they are completely out of view. Close to bed time and burning off some energy before rest.
Adding from 5/19.
The two chicks have discovered the patio area.
Adding from 5/18.
Another view of the two chicks, resting inside the sink.
Adding from 5/18.
Chicks getting comfortable in the patio. on laying one upright, a fantastic day.
Adding from 5/18.
A fantastic day for the blvu. Coaxing and coaxing the chicks follow the adult to their next steps towards the patio.
Tori, left, still shows a more curved beak. Ren, right has a flatter beak.
Beautiful.
Adding from 5/18.
Again, the male, slowly and cautiously enters the shed looking for the chicks,
it is funny. They flap and grunt and he isn’t comfortable with it.
Adding from 5/18.
Adult male looking for the chicks.
They get very noisy and excited and he still takes the high ground and/or flies away and attempts
to get to a less confined space. I felt at this time, he was waiting for them to pop out.
Adding from 5/17.
A very hot day, 93°, the chicks stayed cool inside, laying in the dirt.
Adding from 5/16.
Sometimes Tori steps up and Ren doesn’t wait, so they eat together.
Adding from 5/16.
Fayeee noted the male arrived.
He fed Ren and Tori got a bite.
She says An hour earlier the female fed them,
no photos of her feeding/visit.
Adding from even earlier on 5/16am.
A wonderful transitioning is happening to the chicks.
They wake, stand, stretch then return to resting and sleeping in.
Adding from 5/16.
Early morning, chicks sleep in.
Primary feathers are growing more each day.
Overnight, they have grow spurts. Some more than others.
(looks like a skunk, not two blvu chicks)
Adding from 5/15.
Social creatures. Sweet, they do enjoy each others company.
They learn watching the adults, they observe and copy each other.
Sleeping upright on haunches with heads tucked in is a sign they are growing up.
Adding from 5/15. Life is good, then there’s the growing pains and restless legs.
Adding from 5/15.
Introduction to patio day.
What a day of wonder for them. They still return inside to nap.
The spot they chose for todays afternoon nap, is where Stephen/Stevie#26 hatched in 2013.
Adding from 5/15, 1:15pm.
Introduction to the patio..
Adding from 5/15.
Ren, left. Tori, right. Curious chicks are exploring all areas of the shed.
Adding from 5/12.
One more look at the two cuddled together.
Female is molting, seen live, the feather came out as she was walking.
A captivating view of a time in their lives when they are safe and protected.
Well fed, life is good for the BLVU family.
The two cuddle and find comfort and content one to the other.
They truly are very social creatures. Beautiful.