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Tucson Audubon Society
Dastardly Duos
Common Raven and Chihuahuan
Raven
Text by Larry Liese
Illustration by George C. West
(Article first appeared in the September 2000 Vermilion Flycatcher
newsletter. To receive the newsletter in the mail, become a member of the Friends
of Tucson Audubon.)
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In last month’s column we figured out the Pewees. This month we’ll try ‘a real toughie,’ Common and Chihuahuan ravens. Yikes! I can’t tell these two apart and those who whip out a call on a passing bird make me wonder. Anyway, here’s what the books (and some smart looking people) say. Good luck.
Common Ravens are quite a bit larger, but individual variation confuses the issue. The Common has longer wings and tail, with the tail more wedge-shaped. As we travel east from Tucson, the Chihuahuan Raven eventually takes over, but many people relate that both species occur commonly even west of Tucson. The calls can be distinguished, especially when both are nearby/flying overhead and calling (don’t hold your breath). The Common makes a variety of calls while the Chihuahuan is rumored to only make the croaking call, which is of higher pitch than that of the Common. The Common Raven has a longer bill, with nasal bristles extending less than half the bill-length, while with the Chihuahuans the bristles extend further, giving its bill a sawed off look.
The Chihuahuan Raven does indeed have a white ruff below its neck feathers; I’ve seen it twice. Just hold him around his back and lift up his... Oh, that’s cheating? Well, look at ravens perched on telephone poles on a windy day. You may get lucky!
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This page was updated on 02/21/06