There are several systems for age classification of birds and the term 'juvenile' is often used to describe all that have left fledged and still retain 'juvenal' plumage. In some classifications those birds that have fledged from the nest but though capable of flying (in those that fly) are still improving those flying skills and that are still dependent upon the parent birds for food and who are still.
With the species of Common Raven, the fledgling status is apparently variable but can be protracted as noted in Birds of North America online: "In Oregon, unmarked fledglings stayed within 200 m of nest for up to 6 wk, being fed by parents regurgitating into gape or onto ground." The young Common Ravens we saw today fledged from their nests within the last 2 weeks (one only several days ago), are poor to improving flyers and still being fed by the parents--they are 'fledglings' and they can also technically be called 'juveniles' . I think the term fledgling provides a better description as it relays their continued dependence on the parent birds while more mature birds in 'juvenal' plumage are totally independent of parent birds. SeEtta Moss Canon City http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com On 6/19/11, Mel Goff <[email protected]> wrote: > The two juvenile Common Ravens we out of the nest and flying. They were not > fledglings. > > I am still learning. -- 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.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
