Photo of the Day #710: Raven

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A raven (Corvus corax), photographed at Yellowstone National Park. While there I observed that some of the birds would pick the splattered insects off cars for an easy meal.


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tags: birds, ornithology, Common Raven, Northern Raven, Corvus corax, animal behavior, animal culture, aggression, dominance hierarchy, social groups, social conflict, post-conflict behavior, consolation, empathy, researchblogging.org,peer-reviewed research, journal club Common Raven, Corvus…
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tags: Cape Raven, African White-necked Raven, White-naped Raven, Corvus albicollis, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz [Mystery bird] A pair of White-naped Ravens, also known as the Cape Raven or the African White-necked Raven, Corvus albicollis, photographed while playing at just under 15000 feet…
Yes, there will still be Friday Sprog Blogging this Friday. No, Wednesday Sprog Blogging is not going to become a regular feature. On the walk to school this morning: Younger offspring: I wonder if we'll see that pair of crows or ravens on the field again today. I like how they can jump. Dr.…

We have several species of grackles (all of which look the same to me)in the Austin, TX area. I often see them in parking lots eating insects off the front of cars and drinking from the puddles of condensation water from the airconditioners. I'm impressed that they can still fly pretty well having moulted all their tail feathers.

By Jim Thomerson (not verified) on 22 Sep 2009 #permalink

Cool photo. It's like a portrait by Robert Bateman.

By Stevo Darkly (not verified) on 22 Sep 2009 #permalink

Jim,
It is the same here in Abilene,TX. I've also noticed they have lost their tail feathers (Great tailed Graekel).
Around here they eat pecans, acorns and dog food which they soak in the nearest available water source for a few minutes and then eat! The first time I saw or heard a Graekel was in Cameron, TX 40 years ago! They travel all the way from Canada to Chile!

By Terry Isom (not verified) on 22 Sep 2009 #permalink

I noticed a row of house finches doing the same thing- picking the dead bugs off a bumper whilst standing on the concrete parking beam