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| Chihuahuan Raven |
Sad but true. I've come to the end of the Birds of Prey series for our Tucson Desert. It was fun while it lasted. I've presented to you over the past 3 months many varieties of hawks, owls, and falcons. Today I end with a bird that is often viewed from around town. Have you ever seen a raven? A black raven? Okay, that's probably just a crow. I'm talking...."R.A.V.E.N." You know the one? Yes you do:) It's while you're walking your dog and this monstrous gigantic enormous big black giant bird comes out of nowhere and you say to yourself, "What the hell kind of raven is that?! What did it a eat? A horse?" You soon realize that it's watching you and you begin to wonder, "Will I die today? Is it going to speak to me? Does it carry a secret message from Jon Snow? Is Winter Coming?" Okay okay....I'm geting carried away here. If you watch A Game of Thrones on HBO or have read the books, you'll get the joke. And how about Season 2 so far?!! Focus. Focus:) Back to the Chihuahan Raven. It's intelligent. It's smarter than your average dog. And it's a common bird seen around town. It feeds on cultivated cereal grains, insects and many other invertebrates, small reptiles, carrion and scraps of human food, cactus fruits, eggs and nestlings. It has been known to look at itself in the mirror quite a few times. Just ask scientists at our local space observatories. They all chuckle at this bird. The random tourist will often say, "Oh boy! Look at that hawk." And like an annoying birder, I respond in a nasal voice, "Oh no sir. That's no hawk; that's a Chihuahuan Raven. But it sure looks like one, doesn't it?" Then I laugh and snort ostrasizing myself from the group with whispers and chuckles behind my back. The biggest sucker punch happens when someone says, "We used to shoot them back home." Ugh. Ignorance. "Well, if you do that here sir, you'll go to jail." Next time you look up and see a big black bird soaring in the sky, you might be witnessing the beautiful and often overlooked Chihuahuan Raven. And watch for how it can just hover in the wind...that's the coolest! More tomorrow....
We have many crows in the property, and yours really look like ours. However, when you said it can eat a horse, then i realize raven is so big. How long is it from beak to tail? Your description really scares me! And...how does a cactus fruit look like, you should post one for me! thanks Kreesh!
ReplyDeleteHi there, we have several cacti fruits. One will be producing soon and I'll see if I can get a shot. They are on top of those saguaro cactus which are very very tall....somewhere around 20 feet or more!!! Right now they have flowers on them, but I'll try and get the fruit at the end of the month. They're really tasty....if the birds don't get them first:)
DeleteGreat post on the Chihuahuan Raven. It sounds like a very smart bird. Beautiful shot, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant photo Chris - they are big birds aren't they?
ReplyDeleteMy son's reading the first Game of Thrones book - he reckons its superb and I think it will be next on my list of books to read.
You definitely should read the books. I thought the first one was slow....but they are incredible once you get going. Not predictable at all:)
DeleteI'm always on the lookout for a Raven but only ever see Crows and Rooks. It is a magnificent bird! It seems odd that a name I normally associate with a tiny dog should be shared by such a large bird!
ReplyDeleteI see those around here, and they definitely add a Goth-like air to the scene, especially with some high clouds and that dull light. Too bad you don't have a Sonoran Raven, but it might not be as dark and mysterious as this one. And thanks for noting what it eats...I figured it was more than trash and carrion!
ReplyDeleteha ha. i got the jon snow reference right away. yeah, it's been a bloodbath so far! :)
ReplyDeletenice big bird!!!
I love to watch the antics of the Raven. So many people who visit the canyon confuse them with crows. But not so. These intelligent birds have to be watched and watched out for as they are smart enough to open your cooler and steal lunch.
ReplyDeleteChihuahuan Raven, that's a fantastic bird, well taken Chris.
ReplyDeleteA new Raven bird to me. Sounds as if he does some chilling while soaring in the air.. pun intended ~;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the info and fantastic photo, Chris.
Beautiful bird, we don't see many here, just lots of crows.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sleek, beautiful bird. I understand they are very intelligent also.
ReplyDeletebeautiful...sleek black...lots of great info and an awesome picture! i even like the way the name sounds...R A V E N...so mysterious.
ReplyDeletewe have crows here...haven't seen a raven...not yet!
about Game of Thrones...we saw this special a couple of weeks ago...an interview with the guy who WROTE the entire language for the series on tv. REALLY interesting...anyway, we have the first disc from season 1 sitting on the table, ready to be popped into the dvd player!!