Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-43
| Common name: |
Chihuahuan Raven |
| Scientific name: | [Corvus cryptoleucus] |
| Date: | 7/6/26 |
| Time: | 5:12pm |
| Length of time observed: | 5 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Bluff |
| County: | San Juan |
| Latilong: | 37.27844, -109.55000 |
| Elevation: | 4312 |
| Distance to bird: | 30 feet |
| Optical equipment: | None |
| Weather: | Clear, windy |
| Light Conditions: | Daylight |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small end for raven sp. |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Black, white feather bases around neck |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Heavy bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Bird was solitary in tree and not vocalizing. It appeared smaller and
more slender, with a proportionately heavier looking bill than other
local common ravens. Nasal bristles extended quite a ways across the top
of the bill. When wind ruffled its feathers, they were distinctly white
at their bases around the neck. This bird looked unusual compared to the
numerous common ravens I see every day. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | |
| Habitat: | Open grassland in an old floodplain south of town. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Similar to common raven. Most notable difference being the obvious presence of stark white (as opposed to grey on common raven) feather bases around neck exposed when blown in the wind. Additionally the bird was slightly smaller, had a heavy looking bill with nasal bristles extending nearly 3/4 to the end. The Photo provided, however does not show side profile of the head, as mentioned as a good identifier in Sibley s write up on comparing the two. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have seen this bird in SE Colorado, New Mexico. |
| References consulted: | Merlin, Sibley, ABA article by Sibley |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Ian Marynowski |
| Observer's address: | 66 Red Rock Road |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 7/12/26 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | nnina: |