Jennifer,
You are likely correct about that. I, for one, jumped too quickly to the
conclusion of Common Raven.
In the 7th edition, 2001, of the Birds of the Texas South Plains checklist
published by LEAS, the Common Raven is not listed at all, while the Chihuahuan
Raven is listed as 'common' throughout the year..
In the 8th edition, 2006, again the Chihuahuan Raven is listed as 'common'
throughout the year.
The Common Raven is listed as 'casual' from Sep-Apr, 'rare' in May and Aug, not
listed at all during Jun-Jul.
The checklist was complied from considerable research by Anthony Hewetson, Rich
Kostecke, Cliff Stogner, and Brandon Best. No changes have happened over the
past dozen years to warrant a new update of the checklist. The 8th edition,
2006, is the current version.
It seems that siting of 4 Common Ravens would be unlikely.
Floyd Robertson
Lubbock TX
----- Original Message -----
From: Jennifer Miller <foundnatureblog@xxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: <leasbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <leasbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: 3/17/2018 3:48:45 PM
Subject: [leasbirds] Re: Common Ravens at Mackenzie Park?
I feel like I am missing something here. I have only had limited opportunity to
study the two species in New Mexico and Arizona, but don't both Common and
Chihuahuan Ravens both have wedge-shaped tails? Size is almost impossible to
tell in pictures like this, too. According to ebird, it looks like Chihuahuan
Ravens are more likely here. Based on these pictures, what makes these Common
Ravens rather than Chihuahuan Ravens? Thanks for any insight!
Jennifer
On Fri, Mar 16, 2018 at 9:46 PM, Lena Zappia <lzappia@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Can anyone verify that these are Common Ravens, or are the photos
undecipherable?
There were 4 flying over Mackenzie Park today. Big, flying high, soaring
quickly. Photos are heavily cropped, but pointy tails were visible through
binoculars.
Also seen at Mackenzie today (3/16/18):
4 Eastern Bluebirds
1 American Goldfinch
8 White-crowned Sparrows
22 Green-winged teals
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Ring-billed Gull
(plus lots of Mallards, Coots, a few Shovelers, numerous Juncos.)
Thanks!
Lena
--
Jennifer Miller
Lubbock, TX
{o,o}
/)_)
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