Saturday, February 5, 2011

Part 2 Northern Ravens of the Vermilon River. A Post to Scenic Sunday.




Now that we've established these fellows' grand ancestry and proper name, let's add a few more facts to indicate their acumen. But first a side comment. In the other post I reported these fellows were as large as 2.6 lbs only to find out that their weight could go up to 4.4 lbs.Also the California clade which differs from our Raven genetically,also evolved into the Chihuahuan Raven, which is genetically different also. Busy guys aren't they. Now the new facts:
1) Their lifespan is 10-15 years in the wild, but longer in captivity possibly up to 40 years.
2)They will hide and protect their hordes of food from other ravens or birds.
3) They actively steal from foxes, but will form a symbiotic attachment to wolf packs to scavenge their kills.
4) They mate for life, although they may practice sexual infidelity when their partner is away. Where do these scientists get this stuff from?

A few notes:
a) I set out the forest problem in the UK because the situation is dire and represents another dumb right wing move. As I said forests are an international concern because of their ability to trap carbon. I gave the web site for you no matter where you live to read about the UK Government's proposal and to possibly sign the petition to prevent privatization.

I do not live in the UK.

But I do live in a forest that was criminally damaged by mining.And I mean: by the companies that mine, by the people who worked at the mines, by a government that condoned it, and a citizenry that allowed it. All Canadians!!

So treat it as you would a threat to the rain forest in South America, and allow the UK government the embarrassment of looking like a third world country that the world has to spank. Go to http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/protect

b) The wiki article says that the Raven is distributed all over North America, but several people said that they had never seen one or had difficulty identifying the difference between a crow or a raven. They're bigger, but the ID mark for me is the big black curved beak,the shaggy neck feathers and possibly the shaggy head feathers, but the first two for sure. See photo #1.

One more note. I'm going to post a third post to My World to talk about the IQ of these fellows as it's high, probably higher than most politicians.

All these facts are from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Raven

A Post to Scenic Sunday @ http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/
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16 comments:

  1. MaryFebruary 5, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    As far as I know I have never seen a Raven. They really look shaggy. Interesting.

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  2. MarieFebruary 5, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    Neat photos and great info as well -- I always enjoy learning new things and I had no idea that Ravens mated for life (well, except for those occasional forays when the mate is away :-)

    Marie
    bonkersinbarnhart.com

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  3. CarlettaFebruary 5, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    I don't guess I've ever seen a raven and I was surprised to read they were all over North America. We see the pesky crow on a daily basis.
    In school I always loved, 'quote the Raven, nevermore.'
    Is that Boomer in the header - gorgeous!

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  4. IndraniFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    Great captures, particularly the one in flight.
    Very informative.

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  5. Jenn JilksFebruary 6, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    Now, my son-in-law is running for the Green party in Nepean-Carleton, he has a very high IQ, perhaps you mean politicians in office!

    I love the header of your precious dog. The ravens are an interesting critter to photograph. Thanks for sharing them.
    Thank you for visiting My World !

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  6. LouiseFebruary 6, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    I know that the crows around here are very interesting birds. You can see them interacting with each other in ways that no other birds here seem to do. I think I remember reading somewhere that Ravens have the second highest intelligence level, behind the Parrots.

    The woods and meadows I walk through are mostly second growth, grown up from land that, not too long ago was farm and orchard. Our town has undertaken a "nature preservation" policy that, I'm proud to say, they are sticking to even in these hard times. They buy, or are donated land that is to remain forever wild. We have a LOT of invasives, though.

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  7. UnknownFebruary 6, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    Thanks Gary! As usual you do a fine job of educating with your posts! I never would have thought that raven live as long as 15 years in the wild...WOW!

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  8. UnknownFebruary 6, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Hi Mary. You may have seen them but thought they were crows.

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  9. UnknownFebruary 6, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Glad you enjoyed it Marie.

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  10. UnknownFebruary 6, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Thanks Carletta, and Boomer loves all the compliments he can get.

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  11. UnknownFebruary 6, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Hi Indrani. Glad you enjoyed the information.

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  12. UnknownFebruary 6, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Hi Jenn, but he's likely pro environment if he's a green so we have to exempt him.

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  13. UnknownFebruary 6, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Hi Louise. You're lucky to have the town support, but I'll bet it took a lot of pressure.

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  14. UnknownFebruary 6, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Hi John. I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

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  15. Mike B. @ slugyard.comFebruary 6, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    One other big difference between crows and ravens- the tail feather shape. Crows are a fan shape, ravens are a wedge.

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  16. UnknownFebruary 7, 2011 at 3:36 AM

    That's another quick reference. Thanks Mike.

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