HI Bill,
So what have you been hearing about this bird? After doing more research, I am starting to think that the bluntness of the bill-tip may be a better clue (e.g. chihuanhuan) than the rictal bristles. I wondered, and could not find anything on the web to give me the answer, if where the wingtip falls on the tail might be an indicator. Chihuahuan's are supposed to have relatively shorter wings than Common's, therefore it might be reasonable to expect that the folded wings would fall shorter on the former. I have referenced BNA, and the standard field guides but no mention on whether this can be used as a clue. Just that the former's wings are shorter. And your photos show this detail quite well. As I mentioned in my previous email, since we don't have voice and it didn't kindly part its neck feathers for the photo; rictal bristles, bill tip and now possibly (if someone can offer some info on this) where the wingtips fall on the tail are what we have left. Anyone have any input on this aspect? Or - we can just ask Tony L. Jeff J Jones ( <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of BILL KOSAR Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 6:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [cobirds] Common or Chihuahuan Raven? I have debated about this bird for a week. I saw it in an open prairie region east of Big Johnson reservoir in Colorado Springs. Please send me your opinion. http://avoapples.com/birds/IMG_7273_4x6.gif http://avoapples.com/birds/IMG_7269_4x6.gif Thanks Bill Kosar Colorado Springs [email protected] -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -- Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en
