Ontbirders, Without lapsing into condescension, Ontario birders should note that juvenile American Crows are now giving begging calls from nesting sites. I found a large [ready to fledge] juvenile calling incessantly from a nest in a Red Pine, near Beachville today. I think this is noteworthy for several reasons. One is that this is the earliest that I have heard juvenile American Crows giving begging calls. I usually start to hear them in early to mid-May but this has been such an accelerated spring that nesting obviously occurred much earlier, with eggs laid as early as February it would seem! Experienced birders will know the call well but newer birders may not be familiar with the vocalizations -- a high pitched, falsetto and nasal 'aaw', sufficiently similar to the corresponding single call of the Fish Crow. Juv. American Crows will never give the double 'uh-ugh' nor the rolling croak that sounds like a Raven with a bad cold. As we seem to in the midst of an invasion of Fish Crows into the province, it is prudent to realize that not all nasal-sounding Crows are Fish Crow by default, especially now that juvenile American's seem ready to fledge the nest and will be more and more vocal. If in doubt, look for the fleshy gape at the base of the bill. Juvenile American's should show this for several weeks after fledging. Cheers,
James Holdsworth, Biological Consulting Services 14 Marian St, RR#1 Woodstock, On, N4S-7V6 [519]537-2027 226-228-0093 [cell] [email protected] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
